What is the purpose of voluntary departure for non-U.S. citizens?

Voluntary departure allows non-U.S. citizens to leave the United States at their own expense and within a specified time frame, rather than facing deportation. This option is beneficial for individuals who may not have a legal status to remain in the country but wish to avoid the repercussions of a formal removal order. By choosing voluntary departure, non-U.S. citizens can leave on their terms, which may help them avoid the legal and financial complications associated with being forcibly removed. Furthermore, it may enable them to re-enter the U.S. in the future under more favorable conditions, as leaving voluntarily is typically viewed more favorably in subsequent immigration proceedings than being deported.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the purpose of voluntary departure. While expediting the immigration process and facilitating citizenship applications are aspects of the immigration system, they do not pertain to the concept of voluntary departure. Additionally, there is no provision for financial assistance for departing non-U.S. citizens within the voluntary departure framework, as the expectation is that individuals will bear their own costs when leaving the country voluntarily.