For many immigrants, self-deportation is no longer a choice, but a necessary step for survival. With Trump looking stern on mass deportations, panic is spreading in the community.
You can see the recent SEVIS crackdown as the latest example of this. Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student on an F-1 visa, became one of the victims when her legal status was suddenly terminated due to her involvement in protests.
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After her visa was revoked, Ranjani decided to return to India on her own terms, using the CBP Home app to self-deport rather than face the humiliation of being dragged out.
A growing number of immigrants, especially those without papers, are now quietly planning their exit. But even those who have legal status fear uncertainty and are living on the edge.
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Indian immigrants, especially students and workers, are now questioning whether it’s safer to leave before the government comes for them. Legal aid groups are hearing more and more cases of people choosing self-deportation over the unknown of forced removal.
This is exactly what the administration wants. Since it is way too costly to deport all immigrants, it is better to scare them away.
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Trump’s government has even launched a new app—CBP Home, encouraging undocumented people to tell the government when they’re leaving. There’s even talk of giving out plane tickets and stipends to those who self-deport.
It seems if they can’t deport you on their own they will make your life a living hell before you quit yourself.
