Los Angeles Duo Voluntarily Leaves Country Due to Fear of Husband's Apprehension
Self-imposed Exile: The Story of Alfredo Linares
Swapping LA for Mexico City
In a heartrending farewell, Alfredo Linares, a 20-year California resident, conceded to his undocumented status and embraced self-deportation, moving to Mexico to escape potential detention and deportation.
"Today marks the end of my 20-year journey in the United States," expressed Linares, a seasoned chef who traversed the food industry from a Michelin-starred kitchen. "I felt like a storm was brewing, and I didn’t want to be caught in it."
Accompanying Linares was his wife, Raegan Kline, and together, they ventured to Mexico, ready to embark on a new chapter in Puerto Vallarta.
Building Dreams and Facing Reality
Once upon a time, Linares, as a teenage immigrant, entered the US without documentation. Two decades later, he and Kline had a thriving business as street vendors and caterers. However, the political climate hit hard, and the possibility of being separated loomed over them.
"We hoped for reform, but it seemed unlikely with Trump as president," Kline shared. "We couldn’t risk being torn apart by the unpredictable deportation processes."
The couple decided to take their lives into their own hands, choosing to self-deport before facing the uncertain consequences of staying.
Adjusting to a New Land
Though filled with joy, the first few weeks in Mexico were far from smooth sailing. Linares, who now struggles to remember the country he left behind, sought the familiarity of his mother's embrace.
"Looking into her eyes was bittersweet; I hadn’t seen her for 20 years," Linares shared. "But the reality is, I still have a life to build here."
Kline, too, wrestled with emotions, feeling a sense of betrayal to the country they left behind but, ultimately, committing to their new life.
For now, the couple is focused on each other, their own Mexican adventures, and building a future free of fear.
Enrichment Data:
Background:- Around eight weeks ago, Alfredo Linares left Culver City, California, for Mexico City, self-deporting to escape legal complications.- Linares immigrated to the US as a teenager and spent 20 years excelling in the food industry.- Linares and his wife, Raegan Kline, wanted to avoid the chaos of potential deportation due to political changes.
Emotional Adjustment:- Linares and Kline are navigating an emotional adjustment period, especially with starting a new life in a country Linares barely remembers.- Kline has taken up learning Spanish to better connect with the Mexican community.- Together, they reflect positively on their journey and look forward to their future in Mexico.
- Despite the challenges, Alfredo Linares and his wife, Raegan Kline, made a difficult decision to self-deport, seeking refuge from the potential consequences of staying due to the political climate's uncertainty.
- Facing a comparatively uncertain future in Mexico, Linares reunited with his mother after a 20-year separation, grappling with a mix of emotions as he strived to build a new life in a land he barely remembered.
- As the couple acclimated to their new environment, they felt a sense of betrayal towards the country they left behind, but ultimately committed to forging a fresh beginning, focused on each other and embracing their Mexican adventures.
