Early compliance keeps you in control.
The Smartest Move Is Showing Up
This process is designed to reward timely, voluntary participation and make your check-in as predictable and low-stress as possible. When you respond within the deadline on your notice and appear in person, you retain the greatest control over your timeline, your records, and—if departure is required—your logistics.
why early participation produces better outcomes
Faster resolution, fewer surprises
- One-stop processing: Immigration officers, judges, interpreters, and support staff are co-located to reduce delays and eliminate repeat visits.
- Records corrected on the spot: In-person verification lowers the risk of misidentification and protects lawful non-citizens from being flagged due to outdated or incomplete records.
- Clear, staged escalation: If follow-up is required, you are told exactly what happens next—no ambiguity, no guesswork.
If you’re lawfully present, this is how you prove it and move on
If your lawful status is confirmed during review, you are not deported.
Your records are updated, and the matter is closed.
If departure is required, voluntary departure is prioritized
The program’s stated preference is orderly, non-custodial resolution when an individual cooperates and appears in good faith.
When a removal outcome applies after timely compliance, the process may allow:
- Scheduled departure (often ~7–14 days) to arrange family, housing, work, and personal matters
- Lower likelihood of detention, as custody is not the default and is tied to judicial findings such as flight risk or repeated non-compliance
Financial and logistical incentives for compliant departures
If you appear voluntarily as instructed and are processed through the voluntary departure track (when applicable), available incentives may include:
- $500 compliance stipend upon completion of processing
- Up to $1,000 cash carry allowance for outbound travel
- Standard luggage allowance (carry-on plus one checked bag per person)
- One pallet of personal goods shipped for family or community groups of 10 or more (subject to inspection and customs rules)
- Enhanced incentive eligibility for certain individuals holding valid out-of-state government-issued identification
Dignity, safety, and predictability
This is an administrative, process-driven operation, designed to reduce chaotic field encounters by giving everyone a clear, centralized place to resolve status questions safely and transparently
Ignore It: What You Risk
You lose incentives immediately
You risk a judicial warrant, detention, and forced apprehension
Your case escalates from administrative to judicial
Failure to appear as instructed disqualifies you from incentives reserved for voluntary participants
Your case escalates from administrative to judicial
You risk a judicial warrant, detention, and forced apprehension
Your case escalates from administrative to judicial
Judicial subpoena (court-issued order; typically 14 days to comply)
Judicial warrant and removal order (after continued non-compliance)
Enforcement action (arrest and removal carried out under judicial authority)
You risk a judicial warrant, detention, and forced apprehension
You risk a judicial warrant, detention, and forced apprehension
You risk a judicial warrant, detention, and forced apprehension
Ignoring a judicial subpoena may result in:
- A judicial warrant for contempt, and
- A final removal order, often issued in absentia when an individual does not appear after notice
At this point, the process shifts from “you come in” to “we're coming in.”
You increase the chances of custody
You risk a judicial warrant, detention, and forced apprehension
Detention is not preferred, but it becomes more likely when a judge finds non-compliance or flight risk.
You risk harsher long-term immigration consequences
Permanent ineligibility to reenter the United States under applicable immigration law
A record of forced apprehension, which can affect future eligibility and discretionary relief
You may forfeit or lose personal property
Non-compliance increases the risk of:
- Loss or forfeiture of personal goods left unsecured or surrendered, and
- Disrupted processing that is less efficient and more prone to errors