The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced a limited-time programme aimed at encouraging undocumented migrants to voluntarily leave the country during the holiday season.

Migrants who register to self-deport through the CBP Home app by the end of the year will receive a $3,000 stipend, in addition to a free flight to their home country, DHS said in a statement Monday.

Participants will also qualify for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties related to failure to depart the United States.

According to DHS, approximately 1.9 million undocumented migrants have voluntarily left the country since January 2025, with tens of thousands using the CBP Home programme.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the holiday incentive as a temporary increase.

“Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported, and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home programme.

“During the Christmas season, the US taxpayer is so generously tripling the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally—offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but just until the end of the year,” the statement read.

Noem added a warning for those who do not take part. “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,” she said.

The programme, called “Project Homecoming,” was established in May 2025 under a presidential proclamation issued by former President Donald Trump.

DHS initially offered $1,000 and a free flight to those willing to self-deport. Funding for the programme comes from $250 million originally allocated to resettle refugees, repurposed by the State Department.

DHS described the CBP Home app process as fast and free. Migrants simply download the app, submit their information, and DHS arranges and covers the cost of travel.

The department also warned that individuals who do not participate could face arrest, deportation, and permanent restrictions on returning to the United States.

The Ogun State High Court, sitting in Ijebu-Ode, on Monday refused to grant an interim injunction aimed at restraining Governor Dapo Abiodun and five others from proceeding with the selection and installation of the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

Ayinde, represented in court by Wahab Shittu (SAN), had sought the injunction pending the hearing of his substantive suit challenging the selection process.

But Justice A. A. Omoniyi dismissed the application, holding that the interim injunction lacked merit and that there were no strong grounds to justify its grant.

He subsequently ordered the expedited hearing of the substantive matter, fixing 14 January 2026 for proceedings.

KWAM1 had declared his interest in the vacant Awujale stool, claiming lineage from the Jadiara Royal House of the wider Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

However, the Fusengbuwa ruling house rejected his claim, stating that he is not from the royal house.

To challenge what he perceived as injustice, Ayinde filed a suit against the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Governor Abiodun, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, and three others.

The other respondents include the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Oke Adebanjo; and the Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, Dr Olorogun Sunny Kuku.

The suit, HC3/238/2025, was filed ex parte, citing Order 38 Rules 4 and Order 39 Rule 1 of the High Court of Ogun State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2024, Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction

A copy of the court document dated 16 December 2025 was obtained by our correspondent.

Ayinde urged the court to restrain all respondents from further action on the Awujale selection process to protect his interest and preserve the res from being dissipated or interfered with.

He prayed the court to restrain the respondents, “their agents, or anyone acting on their behalf, from taking any steps in the installation process of the next Awujale of Ijebuland pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

The musician said he is an aspirant to the Awujale stool, “and the injunction is necessary to secure his interest and preserve the res from being dissipated or interfered with by the respondents.”

With the interim injunction denied, attention now turns to the substantive hearing scheduled for 14 January 2026, which will determine the fate of KWAM1’s claim to the Awujale stool.

The United States embassy has clarified that visas issued before January 1, 2026, will remain valid amid concerns over new travel restrictions.

Nigeria was among 15 mostly African countries, including Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, and The Gambia, placed on partial travel suspensions by the US government on December 16.

In Nigeria’s case, the US cited the free operation of radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in certain parts of the country, creating “substantial screening and vetting difficulties”.

An overstay rate of 5.56 percent on the B-1/B-2 visa and an overstay rate of 11.90 percent on the F, M, and J visas were also cited as reasons for the addition of Nigeria to the list.

As a result, the travel suspension covered immigrant visas as well as non-immigrant visas, including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J categories — routes most commonly used by Nigerians despite data showing relatively low visa overstay rates.

B visas are for temporary visitors for business (B-1) or tourism (B-2); F and M visas are for students (academic and vocational); while J visas are for exchange visitors.

January 1, 2026, has been set as the effective date.

In a statement on Monday, the US embassy clarified that the presidential proclamation does not affect immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with a passport of a nationality not subject to a suspension, special immigrant visas (SIVs) for US government employees, participants in certain major sporting events, and lawful permanent residents (LPRs).

The embassy added that the restrictions only apply to foreign nationals who are outside the US on the effective date and do not hold a valid visa on the effective date.

“No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the Proclamation,” the statement reads.

The embassy added that visa applicants who are subject to the proclamation may still submit applications and schedule interviews, but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the US.