Woman voluntarily returns to Mexico, relinquishing 36-year U.S. residence
In a heart-wrenching move, Regina Higuera, a mother from South Los Angeles, voluntarily returned to her native Mexico this month, ending a 36-year journey in the United States. Born in Mexico, Higuera moved to the U.S. at the age of 15 and worked tirelessly as a garment worker for decades, establishing a life with her husband and raising three U.S. citizen children.
However, Higuera's work permit expired several years ago, leaving her without legal status in the country. With an increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in California, Higuera, now 51, was fearful of being detained without her consent. This fear escalated following President Trump's announcements to intensify deportations, making her feel unsafe and uncertain about her future.
Despite having a Social Security number and paying taxes, Higuera found it financially unfeasible to pursue legal status. In early June 2025, she made the difficult decision to self-deport to Mexico. Accompanied by her family, they drove from Los Angeles to Tijuana, where Higuera crossed the border to avoid potential detention at LAX. From Tijuana, she flew to Mexico City and then traveled to Guerrero, a region she hadn't visited in over two decades.
Higuera's daughter, Julia Ear, recorded the entire self-deportation experience and posted it on TikTok, offering a poignant insight into the family's emotional journey. In the video, Ear says that Higuera asked her not to cry, to let her go in peace, to take care of herself, and not to trust all of the new people she's meeting.
As of early June, around 51,000 undocumented migrants were in ICE custody, the highest number since September 2019. However, it is unclear how many people have taken advantage of the Trump administration's offer of $1,000 for undocumented immigrants who return to their home country voluntarily.
Higuera's husband plans to join her in Mexico in a few months, leaving behind three grandchildren in the U.S. Despite the challenges, Higuera's decision to self-deport was motivated by a desire to regain control over her life and avoid the uncertainty of ICE raids. A hardworking taxpayer with no criminal record, Higuera's story serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and fears faced by undocumented immigrants in the U.S. today.
Politics surrounding immigration have become a general-news topic of concern, as Regina Higuera, an undocumented immigrant, felt compelled to self-deport due to increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and announcements by President Trump to intensify deportations. The complexities of the issue are highlighted by Higuera's decision, despite her status as a hardworking taxpayer with no criminal record, leaving her family behind in the U.S. and moving to Mexico.
