Undocumented Father Self-Deports Amid US Arrest Threats Reflecting Mass Family Impact

Fidel Rivera, an undocumented immigrant who lived in the U.S. for 30 years, voluntarily self-deported to Mexico due to fears of arrest and detention under the Trump administration's strict immigration enforcement policies. Despite being married to a U.S. citizen and having two American daughters, Rivera could not legalize his status because of his unauthorized entry. His decision reflects a growing trend of mixed-status families facing separation as nearly 60,000 people are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, many without criminal records beyond immigration violations. Rivera's family remains in the U.S. so his daughters can complete high school and his wife can prepare for retirement, while Rivera faces a ten-year wait before being eligible to return legally. The emotional toll on families like the Riveras underscores the consequences of aggressive immigration policies that pressure undocumented immigrants to self-deport to avoid detention and family disruption. Rivera's story highlights the broader impact on millions of mixed-status families at risk of deportation under current enforcement strategies.