Parents Prepare US-Born Children for Possible Return to Home Countries Amid Self-Deportation Campaign

In the wake of a revitalized push for self-deportation policies by the Trump administration, immigrant families across the United States are facing heightened uncertainty and emotional distress. 

As the administration intensifies its efforts to encourage undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country, families are grappling with difficult decisions about their future and the well-being of their US-born children. The human impact of these policies is stark. In Durham, North Carolina, an immigrant from El Salvador living in the US without legal status, spoke of the emotional toll on her family. Sleepless nights are spent contemplating the possibility of returning to El Salvador with her husband, who shares her undocumented status. 

Despite the uncertainty, they are preparing their US citizen children for potential self-deportation, ensuring they have US passports to facilitate a possible future return. The self-deportation strategy, bolstered by a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign, aims to persuade undocumented immigrants to leave the US voluntarily, with the promise of potential legal re-entry in the future. 

The alternative, as portrayed by the administration, is forced deportation, significant fines, and permanent exclusion from the country. This ultimatum has plunged families into a state of constant anxiety as they weigh the painful decision of whether to remain or leave. Self-deportation is not a new concept in American politics. Mitt Romney proposed a similar approach during his 2012 presidential campaign, suggesting that immigrants would voluntarily depart if life in the US became unsustainable due to a lack of work opportunities or legal status. 

Ironically, Donald Trump, at the time, criticized the policy as impractical and politically damaging, labelling it "mean-spirited" and a contributing factor to Romney’s electoral defeat. However, the political landscape has undergone significant changes. Attitudes toward immigration within the Republican Party have hardened in recent years. The Trump administration’s self-deportation campaign reflects this shift, framing undocumented immigrants as a threat to national security and public safety. 

Through media advertisements, policy changes, and public statements, the administration seeks to make remaining in the US without legal status increasingly challenging. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has emerged as a prominent figure in the campaign, appearing in advertisements that juxtapose patriotic imagery with warnings about enforcement measures. 

“If you are here illegally, we will find you and deport you. You will never return,” Noem declares in one ad, while also suggesting that those who self-deport may have the opportunity to legally return in the future.

Vice President J.D. Vance has echoed this message, emphasizing the importance of streamlining the process for voluntary departures. During a visit to the US-Mexico border in Texas, Vance described self-deportation as a humane yet firm approach to border enforcement. The ramifications of these policies extend far beyond the political arena. Undocumented immigrants report heightened anxiety and a diminished quality of life as they navigate an increasingly hostile environment. The fear of detention and deportation looms large, forcing many into a life of seclusion.

In Waukegan, Illinois, Rosa, a pregnant immigrant, avoids leaving her home unless absolutely necessary, even skipping medical appointments due to the fear of being apprehended by immigration officials. At a local food bank operated by United Giving Hope Church, Rosa encountered Melina, a fellow immigrant from Mexico who has decided to leave the US soon. Melina is ensuring her children obtain US passports before their departure.

Pastor Julie Contreras, who runs the food bank, has noted a significant increase in the number of parishioners contemplating self-deportation. In response, she plans to hold informational sessions to guide families on securing documentation for their US-born children. For many immigrant families, the stress of potential separation and relocation takes a severe emotional toll. In Maryland, Mari, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, describes how the uncertainty has affected her six-year-old daughter, who has begun experiencing panic attacks. 

Mari and her husband are at odds over their next steps; while he favours returning to Guatemala, she is reluctant to leave, citing concerns about her daughters' safety and access to education. Critics and immigration advocates have voiced concerns about the broader implications of these policies. While self-deportation is framed as a voluntary and dignified alternative, experts argue that it places undue pressure on already vulnerable families. 

Adriana Cadena, director of the Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition, highlights the long-term consequences for those who leave. Under current rules, individuals who self-deport may face a decade-long wait before being eligible to return to the US.