A South Los Angeles mother has made the emotional decision to self-deport to Mexico after living in the United States for 36 years, amid a surge in aggressive immigration enforcement nationwide. Her daughter, Julia Ear, said the move was made in February to avoid being deported “without her consent and against her will.”
Choosing to Leave at 51
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Regina Higuera, 51, shared that leaving the U.S. was the hardest decision of her life. Her daughter explained in a TikTok video that Higuera, despite having no criminal record, worked tirelessly since the age of 15—pulling 12-hour shifts, six days a week. She chose to leave on her own terms rather than face forced deportation.
The Trump administration has made mass deportations a cornerstone of its second-term immigration policy, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carrying out large-scale raids. As of early June, reports indicate that around 51,000 undocumented migrants were in ICE custody. The operations have fueled widespread protests, especially in Los Angeles, prompting the deployment of Marines and the California National Guard.
A New Life in Guerrero
Higuera’s family drove her to the Tijuana airport, where she boarded a flight to Mexico City and then traveled five hours to Guerrero, a region she hadn’t visited in over 20 years. She had built a small home there and has family support waiting. Higuera originally came to the U.S. at age 15 and worked as a garment worker in L.A. ever since. She leaves behind her three children, three grandchildren, and her husband, who plans to join her in a few months.
“This is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life,” Higuera said in Spanish.
Fear as the Driving Force
According to her daughter, fear drove Higuera’s decision. After Trump vowed to intensify deportations, the threat became too real.
“That was the one thing my mom was really scared of, to get deported without her consenting to it,” Ear said.
Though the family tried to fix her legal status, the costs became too high. Ear added that her mother had a work permit and a Social Security number, and paid taxes regularly.
“Nobody chooses to be illegal on purpose. Anyone would choose to be legal in a heartbeat,” she said.
The family continues to live in fear that friends and loved ones could be taken in future raids.
Self-Deportation Incentives Under Trump
As part of Project Homecoming, the Trump administration is offering $1,000 and a free flight to undocumented immigrants who voluntarily self-deport. Reports state that 64 people took the first charter flight under the program in May, after signing up through the CBP One Mobile App.
However, Ear said her mother did not participate in the program or contact the government before leaving. While she supports her mother’s choice, she’s cautious about how the story is perceived.
“We don’t want to be a walking advertisement to promote self-deportation,” Ear said. “But I also don’t want to tell people to stay and endure the abuse and violence that is happening.”