A California family has decided to leave the United States due to fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, according to ABC News. The family of five, who lived in Chula Vista, California, departed for Mexico on February 7, citing ongoing immigration enforcement actions across the country.
Anna, a 29-year-old member of the family, said they had been living in constant fear and anxiety. She explained that they barely left their apartment before making the decision to leave. Speaking to San Diego ABC News affiliate KGTV, she shared that the fear had become overwhelming, affecting their ability to eat and sleep.
The family’s concerns stem from President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration policies, which have led to thousands of deportations since his inauguration. According to a post by ICE, the agency arrested 8,276 individuals between January 22 and January 31 and issued 6,577 detainers for individuals with probable cause for deportation. Trump previously stated that illegal entry into the country would be halted and that millions of undocumented individuals would be deported. His administration also introduced executive orders impacting immigration, including the declaration of a national emergency at the southern border and efforts to end birthright citizenship.
Anna’s parents initially came to the U.S. from Mexico in 1997. Her father held an E-2 visa, which was tied to a restaurant. However, when the business dissolved, the family was unable to renew the visa and lost their legal status. Despite this, they remained in San Diego.
Anna, a “Dreamer,” has some protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, while her two younger sisters, ages 20 and 17, are U.S. citizens. However, she feared for her undocumented parents, who could be detained during an ICE raid. She expressed concerns that they would have no legal pathway to citizenship if detained.
Believing that the safest option was to start an immigration process from outside the U.S., the family chose to return to Mexico. Anna shared that despite following legal procedures and paying significant fees, immigration laws made it nearly impossible for them to secure legal residency.
The family is now staying with friends near Ensenada, Mexico, and attempting to reach Mexico City. With limited funds and no employment, their future remains uncertain. Anna described the situation as unclear, like “looking in soapy water,” unsure of how they will move forward. The family has kept their full identities private for security reasons.
