“Self-deportation” by immigrants begins amid Trump’s looming plans

May Be Interested In:Treasuries tumble as inflation surprise reduces odds of interest-rate cut


Michel Bérrios departed the United States just before the new year, exemplifying a trend of “self-deportations” driven by renewed fears of immigration crackdowns under President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration.

Despite being legally in the U.S. under a humanitarian parole program, Bérrios left voluntarily, choosing uncertainty abroad over the anxiety sparked by anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Why It Matters

Bérrios, a former leader of Nicaragua’s student protests, is among those abandoning the U.S. as uncertainty grows over policies targeting migrants with temporary legal status. Immigration advocates say this preemptive exodus underscores how fear can achieve Trump’s goal of reducing immigration without government action.

Newsweek has reached out to Trump’s office for comment via email.

Michel Bérrios, originally from Nicaragua, is interviewed in Tracy, Calif., Dec. 18, 2024. Bérrios recently left the United States ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s return to office, exemplifying a growing trend of voluntary departures fueled…


Jeff Chiu/AP Photo

What To Know

Trump has pledged to end programs like humanitarian parole and temporary protected status, impacting over 1.5 million migrants. During his first term, logistical hurdles and limited resources capped deportations at 350,000 annually. However, “self-deportation” offers a way for the administration to reduce the migrant population without expending significant resources.

Rising Fears Spur Self-Deportations

Bérrios’ case highlights the ripple effects of this strategy. Despite finding refuge in California, her experiences of persecution in Nicaragua and rising hostility in the U.S. made her question her safety, reflecting broader concerns among migrants with temporary legal standing.

Bérrios’ Background

Bérrios arrived in the U.S. in 2023 through a Biden administration program granting two-year humanitarian parole to citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Her cousin, a U.S. citizen, sponsored her application, enabling her to work legally and escape political persecution.

As the presidential campaign intensified, so did her discomfort. Anti-immigrant comments from colleagues and threats of mass deportations brought back memories of living in hiding during Nicaragua’s crackdown on dissent. “That uncertainty has returned,” she said.

Irish Solution

With no option to return to Nicaragua, Bérrios sought refuge in Ireland. There, asylum systems promise faster resolutions compared to the U.S., and public resistance to asylum-seekers remains relatively subdued. Upon arrival, she received a government-issued ID and free lodging while awaiting her case’s outcome.

Approximately 100,000 Nicaraguans have entered the U.S. under similar permits since late 2022. Trump’s promise to terminate such pathways has amplified fears among those temporarily protected.

Tom Homan
Incoming U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan (R) with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (L), Nov. 26, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. “If you wanna self-deport, you should self-deport because, again, we know who you are, and…


Eric Gay/AP Photo

What People Are Saying

Michel Bérrios: “Because (the U.S.) is not a third-world country like the ones many of us come from, I thought there would be a different culture here.”

Tom Homan, Donald Trump’s incoming border czar: “If you wanna self-deport, you should self-deport because, again, we know who you are, and we’re gonna come and find you.”

What Happens Next

As Trump prepares to take office, the fate of programs like humanitarian parole hangs in the balance. For migrants like Bérrios, the decision to leave may foreshadow wider challenges in U.S. immigration policy.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.

share Share facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

Chinese Fighter Jets Conduct Training
China’s invasion force reveals major air power boost
Stock image of neighbor dispute.
Fury over millennial man’s response to neighbor not sharing Wi-Fi
Toni Breidinger
NASCAR: Toni Breidinger Opens Up On ‘Hard’ Off-Season Preparation
Nvidia's AI summit, Tesla's robotaxi, Amazon Prime Day, inflation: What to watch in the markets this week
Nvidia’s AI summit, Tesla’s robotaxi, Amazon Prime Day, inflation: What to watch in the markets this week
Hearts break at what sick dog does after accident: “Big feelings”
New York Mets, Outfielder, Starling Marte
Mets Predicted to Ship Out $20 Million Outfielder in Trade Proposal

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

In-Depth Insights: News Beyond the Surface | © 2025 | Daily News