Trump's anti-immigrant policies push U.S. citizens out

Rising Concerns Among U.S. Citizens Amid Immigration Policies

As the Trump administration continues to implement policies targeting undocumented individuals, some U.S. citizens have begun to question their own safety and future within the country. The administration’s focus on immigration enforcement has sparked a wave of anxiety among families, particularly those with close ties to the undocumented community.

One such case is that of Julie Ear, who recently accompanied her mother to the Tijuana airport for a self-deportation. Ear documented this emotional moment in a TikTok video, which quickly gained over 9.3 million views and attracted thousands of supportive comments. In the video, she explained that her mother, who had lived in Southern California for 36 years, decided to return to Mexico due to her complicated legal status. At the time of the video’s release, ICE raids were intensifying in the region, adding to the sense of urgency.

The Trump administration launched a multimillion-dollar ad campaign earlier this year, urging undocumented individuals to self-deport or face the consequences of deportation. This initiative is part of the administration’s broader goal to deport 1 million unauthorized immigrants annually. As part of this strategy, the government offered $1,000 and a free flight to encourage voluntary departure. While the campaign initially targeted undocumented immigrants with criminal records, it has since expanded to include anyone residing in the U.S. without legal authorization.

Ear emphasized that her mother has no criminal record and has been a hardworking taxpayer, working long hours since she was 15. She also noted that her mother never relied on government assistance, making her situation all the more distressing.

This policy shift has caused many in the immigrant community to leave their homes and families behind, returning to their countries of origin. It has also created fear among U.S.-born citizens who are children of immigrants, especially as the future of birthright citizenship remains uncertain.

Ear expressed concern about the safety of U.S. citizens, citing instances where Americans were taken into ICE custody. “Even though we were born here, we don’t know if we’re gonna be safe long term,” she said in an interview with The Times.

In response to these fears, many of Ear’s friends are now exploring options such as obtaining dual citizenship and purchasing property abroad. With the average home price in Southern California reaching $875,128 and the hourly minimum wage in Los Angeles at $17.28, some are looking for alternative ways to secure their futures.

Ear mentioned that her friends are meeting with local officials to discuss laws that could protect the Latino community in Los Angeles. At the same time, others are considering buying land and homes in Mexico and pursuing dual citizenship.

Nicole Macias, a longtime resident of Los Angeles whose family owns a legacy business on Olvera Street, applied for dual Mexican citizenship through Doble Nacionalidad Express, a law firm specializing in dual citizenship. Macias has since used social media to educate others about the process.

“The political climate right now in Los Angeles is really crazy. A lot of people just feel unsafe,” Macias told The Times. “A lot of people are turning back to this idea of being able to go back to Mexico and have an easier lifestyle.”

This trend is not limited to U.S.-born Latinos. A record number of Americans have applied for British citizenship, with 1,931 applications filed between January and March, according to data from the U.K. government. There has also been an increase in Americans seeking Canadian citizenship, with many citing concerns about political instability in the U.S.

A survey by Expatsi, a travel company for expats, found that over half of the 116,000 Americans surveyed were motivated by political divisions in the country. “I think a lot of people are turning [to] dual citizenship and leaving the States because it's probably a safer option,” said Macias. “This is people's plan B for their future and for their safety and the safety of their families.”