A California family from Chula Vista has fled the United States after decades of residency, citing escalating fears of ICE raids and deportations. The family of five, including U.S.-born children, departed on February 7, driven by anxiety over recent immigration crackdowns. “We were in constant fear,” said 29-year-old Anna, who requested anonymity.
“It felt like the rug was pulled from under our feet.”
Anna’s parents entered the U.S. legally in 1997 via an E-2 investor visa tied to a restaurant venture. When the business dissolved, their visa expired, leaving them without legal status. Despite paying thousands in fees and complying with procedures, they faced limited pathways to citizenship under tightened policies. Recent ICE activity—including 8,276 arrests in January alone—intensified their distress.
Trump-era executive orders significantly impacted their situation:
- Ending birthright citizenship interpretations
- Declaring a southern border national emergency
- Prioritizing deportation of non-violent offenders
Though Anna qualifies for DACA and her younger sisters are U.S. citizens, her parents risked detention during routine tasks. “My biggest fear was my dad getting picked up at the store,” she told local news. The family now resides near Ensenada, Mexico, struggling financially while seeking stability in Mexico City.
“If laws offered realistic citizenship pathways, we wouldn’t be here,” Anna stressed, criticizing systemic immigration bottlenecks. Critics argue recent policies disproportionately target long-term residents over criminal offenders. Over 11 million undocumented immigrants remain in the U.S., many in similar limbo.
As debates over border security intensify, stories like Anna’s underscore the human toll of shifting immigration policies. The family’s journey reflects a broader crisis, where legal gaps force heart-wrenching choices between safety and separation.