In a chilling turn of events, immigrants in Santa Clara County are choosing to self-deport, creating a ripple effect that could fundamentally reshape our local economy and community dynamics.

The Fear Factor

Immigration attorney Richard Hobbs has witnessed something unprecedented in his 35-year career: people voluntarily choosing to leave the United States. While only two individuals have directly contacted his office, the whispers of self-deportation are growing louder.

The current political climate has transformed daily life into a high-stakes game of survival. Immigrants are now hesitating to perform basic tasks like grocery shopping, fearing potential encounters with immigration enforcement. With roughly 134,000 undocumented individuals in Santa Clara County, this mass exodus could decimate entire industries that depend on immigrant labor.

Economic Tremors

Community organizer Tatiana Villaseñor-Carrillo paints a stark picture of potential consequences. “We’re looking at disruptions across food sources, basic services, and potentially even school closures,” she warns. The Department of Homeland Security’s aggressive messaging campaign, utilizing social media, text messages, and targeted ads, has amplified this climate of fear.

Personal Autonomy in Uncertain Times

Some immigrants are choosing self-deportation as a form of personal agency. As Jessenia Garcia-Morales from SIREN explains, her clients want to control their narrative in an increasingly hostile environment. By leaving voluntarily, they hope to maintain some dignity in an otherwise dehumanizing situation.

While the San Jose City Council has allocated $1 million to support immigrant defense organizations, the psychological toll remains profound. The message is clear: survival sometimes means making heartbreaking choices.