In Durham, North Carolina, a woman identified only as “S.” sat at her kitchen table, reflecting on the onset of the second Trump administration. Her husband was by her side, while their children’s cartoons played in the background. Both S. and her husband are immigrants residing in the U.S. without legal status, leading S. to request anonymity from NPR. Their children are U.S. citizens.
S. described feeling overwhelmed and distressed, expressing a desire to escape the situation by sleeping through it. The couple began contemplating a return to their native El Salvador, considering whether to take their children with them.
The family is among many in their community who have started securing U.S. passports for their American-born children. This move is intended to ensure their children can eventually return to the U.S. if they decide to leave. The couple is still debating whether remaining in the U.S. is tenable given the administration’s immigration policies.
The Trump administration has initiated a campaign to encourage “self-deportation,” a key element of its immigration policy. President Trump has implemented strategies designed to make conditions challenging for undocumented immigrants, including publicized immigration enforcement and sending migrants to El Salvador for detention.
The Department of Homeland Security has issued fines up to $5,000 for immigrants who fail to self-deport after declaring their intention to do so. In a statement, President Trump emphasized a choice for undocumented individuals: voluntarily leave or face forced deportation.
The idea of self-deportation dates back to former GOP candidate Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign. At the time, Donald Trump criticized the concept as “crazy.” However, immigration experts suggest that many immigrants may not be deterred by these policies if the conditions in their home countries are dire.
Increased support for Republican candidates from Latino voters has been noted in recent elections, with many prioritizing border security. The Trump administration has swiftly moved to portray illegal immigration as a national threat, affecting the quality of life for many undocumented families.
Pastor Julie Contreras, who operates a food bank in Waukegan, Illinois, noted an increase in families considering self-deportation. She plans to hold information sessions to assist families in obtaining U.S. passports for their U.S.-born children.
The administration’s Homeland Security Department has launched a $200 million ad campaign urging immigrants without legal status to leave voluntarily, offering a path to return in the future if they do so. Vice President Vance echoed this sentiment during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border.
The DHS has introduced the “CBP Home” app, a tool for individuals to report their intent to self-deport. Official statements suggest that those who utilize the app and self-deport might be allowed to return legally in the future.
Advocacy groups argue that there is insufficient incentive for self-deportation, as reentry into the U.S. could be delayed by up to a decade. Experts and immigrant families emphasize that the administration’s measures are impacting living conditions for undocumented immigrants, including limiting access to essential services, which also affects U.S.-born children in mixed-status families.
In February, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at ending federal benefits for undocumented immigrants, although these benefits are generally unavailable to them. Mari, a woman from Maryland, reported that the policy changes have significantly impacted her family’s mental health.
Families like Mari’s are facing increased stress and uncertainty as they consider their future in the U.S. While her husband is contemplating a return to Guatemala, Mari is reluctant, citing concerns over her children’s education and safety. The disagreement is causing tension within the family, affecting their children’s well-being.
