Staff Reports
As the political clock ticks back to a Trump presidency, it appears that the Southern border is not only seeing a fluid influx of illegal immigrants, but a rather amusing twist: an exodus back towards their home countries. This may not be the “mass deportation” some have envisioned, but it’s sure raising eyebrows and perhaps a few smiles among conservatives. Weeks before Donald Trump took the oath of office, reports flooded in showcasing small armies of illegal migrants packing their bags and high-tailing it out of the U.S., perhaps getting the sense that the new sheriff was ready to clean house.
This newfound self-deportation trend seems like a direct reaction to the robust rhetoric and swift actions from Trump and his team. Fresh off the inauguration festivities, the ex-president put his pen to work, signing a slew of executive orders aimed at tightening border security. One such order put an end to the much-derided CBP One app, a Biden-era gadget that managed to bamboozle countless people into thinking they could waltz right in. The result? A heartbreaking scene at the border where potential entrants were left weeping like sad soap opera characters after their appointments were canceled.
Immigration Attorney reports that many of his illegal migrant clients are heading for the border, they’re self deporting ‼️
“The immigrants that he represents that entered under the Biden administration are now choosing to return home fearing deportation under the incoming… pic.twitter.com/nr3gLh1Fpg
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) January 19, 2025
Trump’s order doesn’t stop there. He’s also swung the axe at “birth tourism,” a heavily criticized practice allowing foreigners to secure U.S. citizenship via the birth of their children on American soil. The term “anchor babies” has never been more relevant in this context, as this strategy has made the deportation of parents anything but a cakewalk. Keeping with the “America First” agenda, he reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which ensures that those seeking asylum won’t enjoy a vacation stay in the U.S. while they wait for their immigration court date.
As more illegal migrants get wind of these developments, it seems they’re opting to leave rather than wait for ice-cold reception letters from ICE agents or, worse, card-sorting bureaucrats. Reports even suggest that some migrants are making the decision to return home to avoid the embarrassment of being sent back to Mexico—who would have thought that a little threat would move the needle?
And let’s not forget about the sobering reality hitting some of our joyful but confused travelers. The drama at the border hasn’t gone unnoticed. Although certain die-hard individuals refuse to budge from their camp at San Ysidro, insisting they’ve waited 11 months for their golden ticket into the U.S., many have decided that self-deportation is the more appealing option. The unpredictable blend of strict immigration policies with the entertaining chaos at the border will certainly pop up in late-night comedy circuits, but for the dedicated Border Patrol agents, the mood has shifted to one of optimism. They can finally focus on their last “big” issues: the international drug traffickers that have been sapping local resources while they were busy processing all those “certified tourists” hoping for entry.
While some are quick to bemoan the plight of those weeping at the border, they may want to consider this a solid win for the Trump administration. Fewer people crossing into the country means more time for agents to crack down on illicit activities running rampant. One thing is for sure—if self-deportation is the warm-up act, the main event promises to be an immigration policy show to remember.
