CNN aired a segment on families choosing to self-deport from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Mexico during President Donald Trump’s second term.
The Trump administration is offering undocumented immigrants who voluntarily leave through the CBP Home App a $1,000 payment along with forgiveness for fines associated with previous deportation orders. This announcement was made by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in June. On “Anderson Cooper 360,” CNN’s immigration correspondent Priscilla Alvarez shared the story of a family comprised of a U.S. citizen wife and her undocumented Mexican husband, who have three children.
“Honestly, I’ve never felt this anxious in years,” Sasha Mendoza, the wife and mother, expressed to Alvarez.
Alvarez probed, “So, you’re saying goodbye to the U.S. for good?” The father, Julio Mendoza, confirmed they would not be returning.
Alvarez remarked that the family’s decision to leave stemmed from Trump’s strict immigration policies. “Julio is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, while Sasha and their three kids are U.S. citizens,” she explained. “They decided to relocate shortly after Trump took office.”
During the interview, Julio referenced a specific Trump executive order that influenced their decision. He had entered the U.S. as a child through the southern border and had lived in Pittsburgh ever since.
Alvarez asked, “Did the prospect of Trump’s reelection make you more anxious about leaving the country?” Julio replied, “There’s no clarity, no certainty.” He explained that the biggest concerns he faced were about being visibly different and language barriers, not so much the policies themselves.
Alvarez noted that they had encountered their worst fears when a member of the MS-13 gang was mistakenly deported back to El Salvador. “I can see myself in that situation,” Sasha reflected. “We want to avoid facing something like that ourselves.”
When asked why he hadn’t pursued U.S. citizenship, Julio replied, “If you were in my shoes, it would take 15 to 20 years to do it the right way. I don’t think I can wait that long for my kids while living in danger.” He elaborated on his reasoning behind the move.
“Staying here felt like a gamble,” he said. “I’m playing with my life and my family’s. Going back to Mexico feels like a safer, sure bet.” As he spoke, CNN showed emotional footage of the family bidding farewell at the airport.
Since June 19, about one million undocumented immigrants have exited the U.S., according to preliminary estimates from the Centre for Immigration Studies (CIS). The group attributes the decline to Trump’s tough stance on illegal immigration.
Additionally, the DHS announced a significant drop in border crossings, recording just 25,243 in June, the lowest number yet.
