In recent weeks, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) increased its raids across Los Angeles, prompting Julie Ear and her family to make an emotional journey to Tijuana International Airport, just south of the U.S.-Mexico border. Ear’s mother, Regina Higuera, had lived in the United States for 36 years but decided to leave her home and family — all U.S. citizens — to return to her birthplace in Mexico.
This decision was influenced by a broader governmental push encouraging undocumented migrants to self-deport. The Trump administration recently announced initiatives offering free airline tickets and financial incentives for migrants willing to voluntarily leave the U.S.
In Higuera’s case, Ear noted her mother chose to self-deport to regain control over her life. “She didn’t like the uncertainty of somebody coming into her house, or her job,” Ear explained.
Higuera had crossed the border illegally at the age of 15 to work and support her family in Los Angeles’s garment factories. Originally planning a temporary stay, she built a life, including a husband and children.
Despite her contributions to the economy, such as paying taxes every year, Higuera faced the drawbacks of being undocumented — lacking access to pensions, 401(k)s, or welfare. Ear emphasized that many people simply wish to work and contribute.
Now, Higuera finds herself in Guerrero, Mexico, adapting to an unfamiliar environment. She attributes her daughter’s strength to the resilience instilled in her throughout their lives together.
Ear stays in close contact with her mother, speaking and texting daily, though she admits it can be jarring when she realizes how far apart they truly are.