'Disrespectful To 1.4 Billion Indians': US Under Fire for Using Taj Mahal Ad Offering Free Flights, $2,600 'Exit Bonus' For Self-Deportees

New Delhi: The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has rolled out a new controversial campaign encouraging undocumented migrants, including those from India, free flights back to their home countries along with a financial incentive of USD 2,600 for voluntarily leaving the United States.

As part of the outreach, DHS, in a bid to nudge Indians to return home, shared promotional posters on social media featuring landmarks like the Taj Mahal In India, signalling a targeted message towards undocumented migrants.

As  apart of a broader effort to encourage self-deportation, the campaign also included stylised imagery from countries such as Colombia and China, which similarly account for significant numbers of illegal migrants in the US.

What the post read

While promoting its self-deportation programme, the department in a post on X, using the visuals of Taj Mahal said individuals who choose to leave through the CBP Home platform will be eligible for a free return flight and the USD 2,600 exit payment. 

The post read: “You can go home with a fresh start! Receive a FREE flight home and a $2,600 exit bonus when you use CBP Home to self-deport.”

For Indians, this targeted messaging is particularly significant as it appears to directly focus on one of the fastest-growing undocumented groups in the United States. 

Taj Mahal campaign draws backlash

The spotlight on Indian imagery (Taj Mahal) reflects a growing concern in Washington over illegal migration from India. 

The campaign also highlights an intensified push by the Donald Trump administration to curb illegal immigration.  

Furthermore, with an estimated 725,000 undocumented Indian nationals currently residing in the US, the use of recognizable cultural landmarks suggests a deliberate attempt by the DHS to maximize the reach and impact of its self-deportation campaign within this specific community.  

The inclusion of the Taj Mahal has also ignited a debate as many condemn the use of a sacred cultural icon as a "tone-deaf" marketing tool for hardline immigration policy, while others see it as a calculated attempt to personalise outreach to specific migrant groups.

Furthermore, beyond those without legal status, documented Indian professionals, including H-1B visa holders and Green Card residents, are increasingly finding themselves targets of racial hostility. 

‘Project Homecoming’ campaign

This initiative, known as “Project Homecoming,” was introduced following the start of Donald Trump’s second presidential term. It encourages migrants to use the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mobile application to register for voluntary departure, enabling them to arrange their return without facing detention or enforcement action.

According to DHS, self-deportation significantly reduces costs, from over USD 18,000 per enforced removal to about USD 5,100, while allowing migrants to leave on their own terms, settle personal matters, and avoid legal consequences tied to forced deportation.

The programme initially offered USD 1,000 as an exit bonus, briefly increased it during the holiday season, and has now standardized the payout at USD 2,600, in a move to fly iilegal immigrants.

Campaign also faces netizes wrath

The campaign, however, did not go too well with the netizens where one user wrote, “Can US citizens get $2,600 instead?”

Taking a dig at US, another user criticised the usage of Taj Mahal's. His post read, “The Taj Mahal is India's crown jewel, a symbol that the entire world associates with beauty, culture and heritage. Nations proudly use such iconic monuments to promote tourism and civilizational pride. But the US Department of Homeland Security has chosen to use our beloved Taj Mahal in a self-deportation campaign poster, directly linking India's greatest heritage symbol with illegal immigration. This is not just insensitive, it is deeply disrespectful to 1.4 billion Indians."

In a sarcastic jab at the administration’s own immigration history, another user bashed US stating, “Only if Melania goes first”. 

Others pointed out perceived hypocrisies, with one user noting, “No-funding to operate your own website but can fund $2,600 exit bonuses per person. LOL.”

The sentiment of "Americans last" was also a common theme; one user sarcastically observed, "Once again you treat illegals better than citizens." 

Meanwhile, others focused on the potential end of perceived systemic abuse, with a commenter asking, "You mean my tax dollars won’t be going to Somalian fraudsters anymore?" 

Together, these comments highlight a deep-seated public skepticism regarding how federal funds are being prioritized.

US on illegal migrants

Immigration has long been Trump’s signature issue and a top reason he won a second term in 2024. 

His first year back in the White House saw sweeping changes in enforcement and an infusion of billions of dollars to the agencies tasked with carrying out his agenda. That is reshaping how enforcement will look for the rest of Trump’s tenure, from the number of immigrants detained to how few are winning asylum cases.

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