Voluntary departure (VD) is a way for someone to avoid an order of removal on their record by agreeing to leave the U.S. at their own expense while meeting certain conditions. Voluntary departure is a benefit available to detained and non-detained individuals seeking to return to their home country. Voluntary departure is especially useful for people who may have a legal pathway to return to the U.S., such as a family petition. In some cases, it may be the only relief available, but in other cases, the government may use it as leverage to convince someone to waive their rights or waive other relief when it is of little to no help.