Choosing to leave rather than being led away

The then-19-year-old Peruvian woman arrived in the United States 20 years ago and overstayed her tourist visa. She traded a potential career in South America as a graphic designer for the hard work of cleaning hotel rooms and offices in Los Angeles. She paid taxes, made friends and took courses at a local community college with the hope she’d eventually gain legal status. The latter never happened.

During the first few months of the second Trump administration, Celeste — concerned for her safety, she asked to be referred to by only her first name — acknowledged being unnerved by the images. Undocumented immigrants have been loaded onto planes, shackled like violent criminals, en route to their home country and even countries not their own. The thought of being ripped from her home, without time to pack up belongings or say goodbye to friends, shakes her to the core. So, Celeste has decided to return to Peru by year’s end.

Celeste is not alone as there’s a growing sentiment among the immigrant community that it’s best to leave on their own terms rather than against their will.

Trump promised the largest deportation effort in U.S. history prior to winning a second term. His campaign rhetoric centered on undocumented immigrants who had committed violent crimes. However, shortly after he took office, his administration pivoted, considering anyone in the country without authorization a criminal... The administration isn’t just targeting undocumented immigrants. In recent weeks, Homeland Security has messaged migrants who entered using the CBP One app, telling them their temporary legal status has been terminated and they should leave “immediately.”