The United States government has dramatically increased a cash offer to undocumented immigrants, including Kenyans, who agree to voluntarily leave the country by December 31, 2025. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it will provide a $3,000 (approx. KES 420,000) stipend and a free flight home for individuals who register to depart through the CBP Home mobile app.

This new figure triples the previous $1,000 incentive, a move the Trump administration frames as a cost-effective strategy to accelerate removals. The offer is a critical development for the Kenyan diaspora, which includes an estimated 30,000 undocumented individuals, according to a 2020 U.S. Census Bureau report. Many now face a difficult decision: accept the payment and return to Kenya or risk arrest and forced deportation.

A High-Stakes Decision

The "voluntary departure" program requires applicants to use the CBP Home app to signal their intent to leave, a process DHS describes as "fast, free, and easy." In addition to the cash payment and flight, officials noted that participants may be forgiven for civil penalties related to their unlawful stay. However, the offer comes with a stern warning from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

"Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don't, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return,” Noem stated, emphasizing the severe consequences for those who remain. This aggressive stance is part of a broader immigration crackdown that has created significant anxiety within Kenyan communities across the US.

The View from Home: Remittances and Economic Impact

The policy shift could have significant ripple effects on the Kenyan economy, which relies heavily on diaspora remittances. The United States is the single largest source of these inflows, accounting for over half of the money sent home. In the twelve months leading up to November 2025, Kenyans abroad sent a total of $5.047 billion (approx. KES 706.5 billion), underscoring their vital role in stabilizing the shilling and supporting families.

The DHS argues that the voluntary program saves taxpayer money, contrasting the $3,000 stipend with the average cost of a forced deportation, which is estimated to be over $17,000 per person. The key features of the limited-time offer include:

• A cash stipend of $3,000 (approx. KES 420,000).
• A one-way flight to the individual's home country, paid for by the U.S. government.
• Registration and processing through the CBP Home mobile application.
• A strict deadline of December 31, 2025, to depart the United States.

As the year-end deadline approaches, the decision weighs heavily on thousands of Kenyan families. The choice they make will not only determine their own futures but could also impact the flow of vital funds that support countless households and communities back home.