In recent months, a disquieting trend has emerged among undocumented immigrants in California: an increasing number are opting to return to their home countries voluntarily rather than facing potentially harsh deportations.
Among those making this difficult decision is Celeste, a then-19-year-old Peruvian woman who arrived in the United States two decades ago after overstaying her tourist visa.
Initially hoping to build a career as a graphic designer, Celeste found herself working in low-wage jobs, cleaning hotel rooms and offices in Los Angeles.
Despite paying taxes, forming friendships, and taking courses at a local community college, her aspirations for legal status never materialized, leaving her vulnerable to policy changes that threaten her residence in the U.S.
The culmination of fears surrounding immigration policy—in particular, images of deported individuals shackled and forcibly removed—has led Celeste to conclude that the safest option is to return to Peru by the end of the year.
Celeste’s situation is emblematic of a larger sentiment within the immigrant community as they grapple with feelings of uncertainty and fear.
A growing number of undocumented individuals are expressing a preference for leaving on their own terms rather than being forcibly removed from a place they have come to call home.
This shift can be attributed to the rhetoric of the second Trump administration, which has advocated for a rigorous deportation agenda.
Trump has consistently framed undocumented immigrants as threats, resulting in substantial anxiety among individuals living in the shadows.
While targeting those with criminal records was an earlier focus, the administration expanded its scope to include all undocumented individuals, equating them with criminals.
What has changed under the current administration?
The Trump administration has employed various strategies, both overt and subtle, to encourage undocumented immigrants to leave voluntarily.
On his first day in office, Trump deactivated the CBP One mobile app that had previously facilitated a more orderly process for asylum applications.
This led to thousands of migrants having their asylum appointments canceled, effectively leaving them more vulnerable.
In place of CBP One, the administration introduced CBP Home, a new app through which immigrants can notify the government of their intention to leave the United States.
To further dissuade unauthorized residence, the administration has embarked on advertising campaigns urging undocumented immigrants to depart immediately.
Recently, Trump announced plans to incentivize voluntary departures by offering stipends and airplane tickets to those who choose to self-deport.
The administration’s measures do not only affect undocumented immigrants; in recent weeks, Homeland Security has sent notifications to migrants who had entered using the previously operational CBP One app, informing them their temporary legal status has been revoked and instructing them to leave “immediately.”
Despite these developments, the Department of Homeland Security has not provided specific data on the deployment and use of the CBP Home app.
Consequently, it remains difficult to quantify the number of individuals who are grappling with the harrowing choice of leaving behind lives and families they have built over many years in the U.S.
Luz Gallegos, executive director of TODEC Legal Center in the Inland Empire, reports that conversations about self-deportation are prevalent at her organization.
She noted that many individuals express a desire to leave with some form of stability rather than be forced to depart with nothing.
One affected immigrant, Elena, who has lived in the Inland Empire for almost two decades, has decided to return to Chiapas, Mexico, with her husband by Christmas.
The emotional toll of potentially leaving her American-born children and grandchildren weighs heavily on her.
“I saw workers and people traveling with their families, people who had made their lives here, and suddenly this happens and their dreams are destroyed,” Elena lamented.
Maria, another undocumented immigrant from Mexico, is also making plans to return after 30 years in California.
She expressed a similar struggle, caught between a life she has known in the U.S. and the reality of returning home to Michoacán.
“It’s as if I’m being divided into two parts,” she reflected, acknowledging her discontent with the current situation.
Although these narratives are deeply personal, they resonate across many immigrant communities as individuals weigh the risks and emotional costs associated with remaining in the U.S.
The recent news cycle has highlighted various developments in immigration policy, including a Supreme Court decision that temporarily halts deportations of Venezuelan detainees.
This ruling comes against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny of the Trump administration’s immigration tactics, as well as public outcry from lawmakers seeking to end compassionate measures deemed as ‘welfare checks’ after unannounced school visits across Los Angeles.
In a climate where fear pervades, more immigrants have begun to consider a future without their established lives in America.
Many have pleaded with policymakers to reconsider punitive measures, focusing instead on humane solutions that do not disrupt families or threaten their well-being.
As Celeste and others like her prepare for their final goodbyes, the heartbreaking reality persists: the American dream has often transformed into a nightmarish reality for many undocumented immigrants.
The desire to thrive and contribute remains, but the prospect of facing deportation has led many to choose a path away from a life they have built with dedication and hard work.
Ultimately, the stories of those who decide to self-deport speak to a larger truth about the complexities of immigration in the United States today; it is a reality rife with challenges, fears, and deeply personal consequences.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2025-04-20/better-to-leave-with-something-more-immigrants-opt-to-self-deport-essential-california
