LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids intensified across Los Angeles in recent weeks, Julie Ear and her family made the heart-wrenching decision to drive to Tijuana International Airport in early June.
Her mother, Regina Higuera, who had lived in the United States for 36 years, was returning to her birthplace in Mexico.
The family’s decision was fueled by the fear that, like many others, they would eventually face a raid at their home. “When the ICE raids started picking up in other states, we knew that we were going to get hit eventually,” Ear shared. “Nobody’s safe.”
The Impact of ICE Raids Under the Trump Administration
Since President Trump began his second term, ICE has arrested over 100,000 people, according to internal government data obtained. The Trump administration has continued its tough stance on undocumented migrants, even encouraging some to self-deport.
In May, the administration announced a controversial initiative offering free airline tickets and a $1,000 incentive to undocumented migrants who voluntarily leave the U.S. and return to their home countries.
For Higuera, the fear of an unexpected raid on her home or at her job led her to choose the option of self-deportation.
“She wanted to make sure that she was in control of her life,” Ear explained. Higuera, who had crossed into the U.S. illegally at the age of 15, worked in Los Angeles garment factories and initially planned to stay temporarily to earn money before returning to Mexico. However, her plans changed when she met her husband and started a family.
Contributions of Undocumented Immigrants
Higuera, like many other undocumented immigrants, contributed significantly to the U.S. economy, paying taxes every year, but without the benefits that many others receive.
“She’s been contributing to the economy, paying taxes every year,” Ear said. “There’s no benefit for being undocumented; they don’t get benefits. She’s not going to get a pension. She never got food stamps. She didn’t get welfare.”
Ear continued, “People want to come here to work. And, you know, it’s not illegal to want to work.” Despite the sacrifices and the hard work, undocumented immigrants like Higuera face daily uncertainty as they live in fear of being separated from their families.
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Life After Leaving the U.S.
Now reunited with her family in Guerrero, Mexico, Higuera is trying to adjust to a life far different from the one she had built in the U.S. “I’m happy because I’m no longer stressed,” she told from her new home.
However, there are moments when the reality of being away from her children and grandchildren hits hard. “But there are moments when I think about all of you [her family] and I get sad,” Higuera added.
Though she is at peace with her decision, the life she worked so hard to create in the U.S. is now being carried on by her children. “That’s why I have such a strong daughter,” Higuera said, proud of the woman her daughter has become. “From a very young age, I taught her, we have to be strong no matter what situation that we find ourselves in.”
The Emotional Toll of Separation
Ear, who stays in constant contact with her mother through daily phone calls and texts, said the separation is emotionally difficult. “Sometimes I forget that she’s so far because we talk so much,” Ear shared. “But then that is when the family thing happens, that’s when I’m like, ‘Oh my God, you’re actually gone. You’re not actually here.’”
Despite the distance, the bond between mother and daughter remains unbroken. Ear’s continued support and communication with her mother serve as a reminder of the strength and resilience families demonstrate in the face of adversity.
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What’s Next for Families Affected by ICE Raids?
The increasing frequency of ICE raids in California has left many families like Ear’s in a state of fear and uncertainty.
While some are opting for self-deportation to regain control over their futures, others remain caught in the turmoil of living under the constant threat of separation.
As more families face these difficult choices, the debate over immigration reform and the treatment of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. continues to unfold.
The stories of those affected, like Regina Higuera and her family, highlight the human toll of these policies.
What Do You Think?
How do you feel about the ongoing immigration policies and the impact they have on families? Should the U.S. adopt more comprehensive immigration reforms to address these issues? Share your thoughts in the comments below on RidgecrestPact.org.
