In a striking turn of events, hundreds of unauthorized immigrants in Chicago are opting to leave the United States on their own terms amid fears of heightened immigration enforcement.
According to Breitbart, many Mexican nationals and other undocumented individuals are self-deporting from the Democrat-run city of Chicago, driven by economic struggles and uncertainty over potential detention or deportation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under President Donald Trump’s administration.
This trend has emerged even before stricter immigration policies are fully rolled out in the city. Many of these migrants, primarily from Mexico, have expressed growing concerns about their future in the U.S.
They cite dwindling incomes and fewer customers for their small businesses as key reasons for their decision.
Family worries also play a significant role, with many fearing separation due to possible ICE actions. The uncertainty surrounding potential detention in uncomfortable conditions at U.S. ICE centers adds to their anxiety.
Additionally, some migrants dread the risk of being sent to countries they are unfamiliar with if deported.
In response to these fears, some are choosing to self-deport to destinations of their preference rather than face unpredictable outcomes. Julie Contreras, a pastor and activist based in Waukegan, has been instrumental in aiding this process.
Through her nonprofit, United Giving Hope, she has helped around 200 undocumented immigrants and asylum-seekers return to their home countries from the Chicago area.
Many of these migrants originally came to the U.S. to earn money to support loved ones back home. Abigail Hernandez, an undocumented immigrant who spoke to Crain’s Chicago Business, shared that she arrived to provide financial help for her daughter in Mexico. This practice, known as remittances, involves sending earnings back to family in their countries of origin.
In the past 12 months, approximately $63 billion in remittances have been sent from the U.S. to Mexico alone. However, this figure is lower than amounts sent in 2023 and 2024, a decline attributed to Trump’s immigration enforcement measures. This substantial sum represents money that is not reinvested into American communities, schools, businesses, or taxes.
On a broader scale, the White House has reported that over 1 million unauthorized immigrants have already chosen to return to their home countries voluntarily. Further details came on Aug. 14, when Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced a significant milestone. She revealed that 1.6 million undocumented migrants have self-deported and left the U.S. for destinations of their choosing.
Secretary Noem praised the impact of these departures in a press release issued on the same day. “This is massive,” Noem stated, highlighting the positive outcomes of the current administration’s policies. “This means safer streets, taxpayer savings, pressure off of schools and hospital services and better job opportunities for Americans. Thank you, President Trump!” she added.
Back in Chicago, the personal stories of migrants like Hernandez shed light on the human side of these statistics. Many who came seeking better opportunities now face tough choices due to economic hardship and policy changes. Their decisions to leave reflect a broader wave of uncertainty rippling through immigrant communities.
As enforcement efforts intensify under President Trump, more migrants in Chicago may follow suit. The fear of detention or forced removal to unknown places continues to weigh heavily on their minds. For now, self-deportation offers a way to regain some control over their uncertain futures.