Voluntary departure rates keep increasing in response to the U.S. government’s increasingly strict immigration policies. According to CBS, the number of cases ending in voluntary departure per month rose by one thousand percent over the past year. This means an increased number of individuals choose leaving the United States over contesting their immigration case.
Statistical Trends
Voluntary Departure rates increased dramatically since January 2025. According to CBS, an average of twenty eight percent of all immigration removal cases concluded in voluntary departure. This is the highest yearly average since 1983. The percentage grew each month, eventually reaching thirty eight percent of all cases by December. In total, around two million undocumented individuals departed the U.S. voluntarily over the past twelve months. These numbers don’t account for individuals being removed without a hearing before an immigration judge. Historically, immigration judges don’t encourage self-removal if the defendant has legal counsel present.
Voluntary Removal Guidelines
The government gives undocumented individuals a way of departing the U.S. voluntarily. Undocumented individuals can announce and record their departure on the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App. Voluntary departure alleviates pressure on immigration authorities and saves thirteen thousand dollars on average per individual.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, please contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws and policy updates. In an ever-evolving immigration landscape, it’s particularly critical you get the right advice.