Trump’s Immigration Policy Sparks Debate on Self-Deportation Among Immigrant Families

Durham, N.C. — As the second Trump administration rolls out its controversial immigration policy, many undocumented immigrants are grappling with a distressing question: should they self-deport? Recent multimillion-dollar ad campaigns encourage voluntary departure from the United States, leaving vulnerable families to weigh their precarious situations.

Among them is a woman identified only as S., sitting in her kitchen while navigating the tumultuous emotional landscape that accompanies her family’s uncertain status. “I felt so anguished,” S. shared. “I didn’t want to do anything in the house, I just wanted to sleep and wake up to find it was all over, it had all been a dream.” S. and her husband, who are both undocumented immigrants, are considering a return to El Salvador, taking their two U.S.-born children with them.

They have not reached a decision yet, but are looking into obtaining American passports for their children as a safety net. This concern is echoed across the Latino community as the administration’s message creates a climate of fear and uncertainty.

President Trump’s latest ads present a stark ultimatum: self-deport or face potential deportation and permanent bans on re-entry. “People in our country illegally can self-deport the easy way or they can get deported the hard way and that’s not pleasant,” Trump stated in the campaign advertisements. The Department of Homeland Security has also introduced hefty fines aimed at discouraging undocumented immigrants from remaining in the U.S.

This policy echoes concepts from prior GOP campaigns, notably former candidate Mitt Romney‘s self-deportation strategy in 2012. Although then criticized by Trump, the disturbing idea seems to have resurfaced with renewed vigor under the current administration.

“The answer is self-deportation, which is people decide that they can do better by going home because they can’t find work here because they don’t have legal documentation to work here,” Romney had stated during his campaign. The sentiments surrounding illegal immigration have shifted dramatically in the last decade, with increased Republican support coming from Latino voters in recent elections.

Immigrant families from various backgrounds report that quality of life has rapidly declined under the new policies, as highlighted by Rosa, a pregnant Honduran woman in Waukegan, Illinois, who fears venturing outside her home. “We’re scared. We stay indoors all day,” she said, avoiding necessary health appointments due to the threat of arrest.

Pastor Julie Contreras from the United Giving Hope Church noted that many parishioners are seeking ways to facilitate self-deportation for their U.S.-born children, reflecting the growing desperation in immigrant communities. In response to growing fears, Trump’s Homeland Security has allocated significant funds to a campaign further emphasizing the need for immigrants to leave voluntarily.

On social media and in Spanish-language broadcasts, the administration urges immigrants to consider the potential for legal re-entry if they self-deport now. The CBP One app has also been rebranded to facilitate voluntary departures, though many express skepticism regarding the administration’s assurances.

As people grapple with these choices, they also confront deep personal conflicts. Mari, a Maryland resident, faces friction within her own family over the decision to stay in the U.S. or return to Guatemala. While she believes it is vital for her children to receive an education, her husband argues that their current living conditions are untenable.

“He says we can’t live like this anymore,” Mari explained, revealing the strain this debate has placed on her marriage and added anxiety for their children. Their six-year-old daughter has been experiencing panic attacks, leading them to reassure her with a false narrative of a potential family vacation instead of a permanent relocation.

Despite the administration’s campaign, experts claim that the challenges faced by immigrants are profound. Adriana Cadena from the Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition articulated doubts about the infeasibility of the policy. “I would think that immigrants are smart enough to know the rhetoric is coming from the administration and not buy into this perception that if you leave you’ll be able to come back. There is no proof,” she said.

The tension and uncertainty within immigrant families continue to unfold as the U.S. grapples with complex immigration issues that affect both undocumented individuals and their U.S. citizen children, demonstrating the pressing human dimensions behind political rhetoric.