Establishing Project Homecoming

This proclamation establishes "Project Homecoming," a program offering free government-funded flights and financial "exit bonuses" to undocumented immigrants who voluntarily depart the U.S., while threatening escalated enforcement including wage garnishment and property confiscation for those who remain. It also mandates hiring or deputizing at least 20,000 additional enforcement officers within 60 days to conduct removal operations.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 20357

Impact dates

Jul 8, 2025
DHS must supplement enforcement operations by deputizing/contracting to increase removal force by no less than 20,000 officers

Key directives

Create seamless processes for rapid departure of illegal aliens including CBP Home application
Fund flights for voluntary permanent departures
Enable rapid departure for those lacking valid travel documents
Create airport concierge service for booking travel and claiming exit bonus
Provide financial 'exit bonus' for each voluntary permanent departure
Conduct nationwide communications campaign on options and penalties
Deputize/contract State/local law enforcement, former Federal officers, other Federal personnel, and individuals to increase enforcement force by no less than 20,000 officers

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Proclamation establishes Project Homecoming framework
Directs creation of CBP Home application and seamless departure processes
Directs creation of 'concierge service' at airports for voluntary departure

Near term (90d)

Secretary of Homeland Security must deputize/contract additional enforcement personnel to increase DHS removal force by no less than 20,000 officers (within 60 days)
Nationwide communications campaign on voluntary departure options and penalties for remaining

Long term

Potential structural expansion of immigration enforcement capacity
Ongoing operation of voluntary departure program with federal funding

Risks & tensions

Legal challenges likely on authority of proclamation vs. congressional appropriations for exit bonuses and flights
Mass deputization of non-federal personnel raises constitutional and liability concerns
'Concierge service' for undocumented individuals at airports may conflict with existing security protocols and airline requirements
Fiscal cost of exit bonuses, free flights, and 20,000 additional enforcement personnel unclear and not appropriated
Threatened wage garnishment and property confiscation may face due process challenges
Coordination with foreign countries for accepting individuals without travel documents is unspecified and potentially contentious