Thinking of Leaving the US? What You Must Know First
You have been watching the news about ICE raids and you are seriously thinking about leaving the US. At least 72,000 immigrants have already done it through the CBP Home app. But what the Trump administration calls "self-deportation" can permanently change your ability to come back — and most people don't find out until it's too late.
You have been living in the US without legal status, and the news about ICE raids is making you think about leaving. You are not alone — at least 72,000 immigrants have already left using the CBP Home app, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). But leaving without a plan can close doors you may want open later.
Leaving Can Trigger a Multi-Year Ban
If you have lived in the US without permission for one year or more, you have built up what immigration law calls "unlawful presence." Once you leave, that triggers a reentry bar — three years if you stayed between 180 days and one year without status, or ten years if you stayed longer. This ban can block you from getting a visa, a green card, or other immigration benefits when you try to come back. If you are currently in removal proceedings — meaning an immigration judge is deciding whether to deport you — leaving without a formal grant of voluntary departure (official court permission to leave on your own) can make things worse, not better. Lawyers strongly recommend talking to an attorney before you book any flight.
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Pending USCIS Applications Are at Risk Too
If you filed any application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — such as a work permit (Form I-765, the Employment Authorization Document), a green card application (Form I-485, the application for a green card from inside the US), or any other benefit — leaving the country may cause USCIS to deny or abandon your case. An immigration attorney can tell you exactly what happens to your specific application if you depart.
The CBP Home App Does Not Guarantee Safety or the $1,000 Bonus
Some immigrants are using the free CBP Home app, created by DHS, to arrange a voluntary departure. DHS promised a $1,000 "departure bonus" to people who self-deport through the app. However, the process has seen delays, and many users have not received that payment. Critically, using the app does not protect you from being detained while you wait for your request to be processed. You remain at risk of arrest until you actually leave.
Documents to Gather Before You Go
If you do decide to leave, collect copies of key documents for yourself and any family members traveling with you. This includes birth certificates, passports, marriage or divorce certificates, your driver's license, all immigration documents (visas, Form I-94 arrival records, any final orders from an immigration judge), vaccination records, medical prescriptions and recent lab results, school transcripts, and any property deeds or bank account records. Transfer money from US bank accounts and keep all records of those transfers.
What to Do
- Talk to an immigration lawyer before making any decision — especially if you have a pending USCIS case or have ever been in removal proceedings.
- Ask your attorney specifically whether leaving will trigger a 3-year or 10-year reentry bar based on how long you have lived in the US without status.
- If you are in removal proceedings, do not leave without getting formal voluntary departure approval from the immigration judge — leaving without it can result in a removal order being entered against you.
- Gather and photocopy all important documents (immigration records, medical, school, financial) before you depart, and keep originals in a safe place.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Appealing to the BIA”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
Leaving the US while in removal proceedings without a formal voluntary departure grant from an immigration judge is one of the most damaging mistakes a client can make — it typically results in an in absentia removal order, which carries its own reentry bar and is very difficult to reopen. If you have any pending USCIS benefit — a work permit, adjustment of status, or family petition — your attorney needs to assess whether your departure will be treated as an abandonment of that application. Do not rely on the CBP Home app as a substitute for legal advice; consult a qualified immigration attorney before taking any step toward leaving.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I leave the US voluntarily, can I come back later?
It depends on how long you lived in the US without legal status. If you were here without permission for one year or more, leaving triggers a 10-year bar on reentry. Between 180 days and one year triggers a 3-year bar. An immigration attorney can tell you exactly which bar applies to you and whether any exceptions exist.
What happens to my pending USCIS application if I leave?
Leaving the US while a USCIS application is pending — such as a work permit (I-765) or green card application (I-485) — can cause USCIS to deny or abandon your case. Talk to a lawyer before you depart to understand the specific risk for your application.
Is the CBP Home app safe to use? Will I get the $1,000 bonus?
The CBP Home app is a free DHS tool for arranging voluntary departure. However, many users have experienced delays, and the $1,000 departure bonus DHS promised has not been paid to everyone who applied. You also remain at risk of ICE detention while your request is being processed — the app does not give you any legal protection until you actually leave.
What documents should I take with me if I decide to leave?
Bring originals and copies of your birth certificate, passport, marriage or divorce certificates, driver's license, all immigration documents (visas, I-94, any court orders), vaccination records, medical prescriptions, school transcripts, and property or bank records. Transfer money from US accounts before you go and keep records of all transfers.