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I’ve overstayed my Visa Waiver Program (VWP) period in the US by a few months and plan to depart voluntarily via a US airport soon. I’m extremely worried about being detained or harassed by CBP at the airport, especially given the new Trump-era scrutiny and strict immigration rules. I’m seeking advice on two scenarios below and would appreciate recent experiences (ideally from 2025).

  1. Departing via Two Airports: My itinerary involves a domestic flight to a major international airport, followed by an international flight out of the US on the same day. I’m concerned about the risk of detention or issues at either airport under the heightened enforcement of Trump’s policies when airline or tsa scans my passport.

Has anyone who overstayed on VWP recently departed via two airports (domestic to international) and faced detention or harassment by CBP at either point?

Are there differences in scrutiny between domestic and international legs, or at smaller versus larger airports, under current 2025 rules?

  1. Using CBP Home App for Self-Deportation – Advisable or More Scrutiny? I’ve read about the CBP Home app’s “Intent to Depart” feature, promoted by the Trump administration as a way to self-deport voluntarily and possibly avoid harsher consequences. However, I’m unsure if using it will truly prevent detention at the airport (domestic or international) or if it might invite more scrutiny by flagging me to authorities.

Has anyone with a VWP overstay used the CBP Home app to self-deport in 2025 and can share their airport experience? Were you still questioned or detained despite using the app?

Does using the app reduce the risk of custody under Trump’s new policies, or does it potentially draw more attention from CBP during departure?

Is it advisable to use the app, or better to depart without notifying via this system?

Thanks for any insights or firsthand accounts. I’m trying to understand what to expect and how to minimize risks under the current strict immigration climate.

Willeke
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user210952
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1 Answers1

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I’m extremely worried about being detained or harassed by CBP at the airport, especially given the new Trump-era scrutiny and strict immigration rules.

This is unlikely. There are no immigration checks on exit. There were some reports in the media that ICE detained folks at the TSA checkpoints, but this seems to be targeting specific people.

Everything right now is very much in flux. The rules haven't changed, and the law hasn't changed, and a lot of the actions the current administration had taken have been challenged in courts. It is not at all clear what will happen tomorrow, and what happened yesterday may not matter.

Just take the flights as you planned and find an immigration attorney to have on speed dial for just in case (or, maybe better, have someone check where you are and call up an immigration attorney if you fall off the grid mid-trip).

oh whatever
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