CNN Segment on Families Self-Deporting
CNN aired a segment on families moving from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Mexico during President Donald Trump’s second term. Under this administration, illegal immigrants using the CBP Home App can receive a $1,000 payment along with waived penalties related to previous deportation orders. This information comes from a June announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Immigration correspondent Priscilla Alvarez reported on a family comprised of a U.S. citizen wife and her Mexican immigrant husband, who is undocumented, along with their three children. The family is part of a broader pattern of self-deportation amid tightening immigration policies.
“I’ve honestly never been anxious in the last few years,” said Sasha Mendoza, the mother. When asked if they were saying goodbye to the U.S. forever, her husband, Julio, confirmed they wouldn’t return.
Alvarez noted that the decision to leave followed President Trump’s aggressive stance on immigration. Julio, who entered the U.S. illegally as a child, has lived in Pittsburgh for much of his life. He mentioned an unspecified executive order from Trump as a catalyst for their choice to relocate.
When asked if the prospect of Trump serving a second term influenced their decision, Julio replied that he faced no direct restrictions on his ability to stay but felt anxiety due to being perceived as different, noting that his skin color and lack of English proficiency made him vulnerable.
Alvarez also reported a profound fear the family experienced after a relative was mistakenly deported. “I can see myself in that situation,” Sasha remarked, expressing their desire not to wait until faced with similar risks.
When questioned why he hadn’t pursued U.S. citizenship, Julio indicated that the lengthy process—taking around 15 to 20 years—was impractical given his family’s needs. He preferred to act in what he believed was their best interest, stating, “It would be like gambling with our lives.”
The emotional farewell at the airport was highlighted, emphasizing the family’s difficult choice. Since June 19, nearly one million undocumented immigrants have reportedly left the U.S., a trend observed by the Centre for Immigration Studies, which ties it to Trump’s tough rhetoric on illegal immigration.
In addition, the DHS recently announced a record low number of encounters at the southern border in June, suggesting a stark shift in immigration patterns influenced by the current administration’s policies.
