The Tough Reality Behind ICE Raids and a Family’s Heartbreaking Choice
Over the last few weeks, as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ramped up raids all across Los Angeles, Julie Ear found herself facing an impossible decision. Alongside her family, she made a tough, emotional drive down to Tijuana International Airport — just on the other side of the U.S.-Mexico border. It wasn’t a vacation. It was the beginning of a painful farewell.
Her mother, Regina Higuera, had called the United States home for 36 years. But early one morning in June, she left behind everything familiar — her house, her children, her grandchildren — all of whom are U.S. citizens — and headed back to her birthplace in Mexico.
Why? Because when the ICE raids started escalating, the threat became too real.
“Nobody’s Safe”: The Fear That Hit Families Like Theirs
Julie told CBS News, “When the ICE raids started picking up in other states, we knew it was only a matter of time before it hit us. Nobody’s safe.” Her words echo the growing fear that’s been sweeping through immigrant communities nationwide.
Since President Trump’s second term kicked off, ICE has arrested over 100,000 people — that’s a staggering number — according to internal government data obtained by CBS News. The administration didn’t just increase raids; it also began pushing undocumented migrants toward self-deportation.
Last month, the government took it a step further by offering free airline tickets and a $1,000 incentive for migrants who voluntarily chose to return to their home countries. It was a controversial move — some saw it as a humane option, others as a coercive tactic.
A Choice for Control: Why Regina Higuera Chose to Self-Deport
Regina’s decision to self-deport was deeply personal. Julie explained, “My mom wanted to be in control of her life. She didn’t want the uncertainty of waking up one day and having someone come into her home, or pull her over, and just say, ‘You’re now in Mexico.’”
That fear of being snatched away without warning — losing autonomy, being ripped from her family — was unbearable.
Regina had crossed into the U.S. illegally when she was just 15 years old. She went straight to work in Los Angeles’ garment factories. Originally, she planned to stay only temporarily — make enough money, then head back home. But life had other plans. She met her husband, started a family, and built a life.
Hard Work Without Benefits: The Realities of Being Undocumented
Julie passionately defended her mother’s story, pointing out a side many overlook. “She’s contributed to the economy, paid taxes year after year. There’s no benefit to being undocumented — no pensions, no 401(k)s, no food stamps, no welfare. People come here to work. Wanting to work isn’t illegal.”
This is the harsh contradiction for many undocumented immigrants: they are workers, taxpayers, and community members, yet live with constant fear and no safety net.
Starting Over: Life in Mexico After 36 Years Away
Now reunited with her mother in Guerrero, Mexico, Julie described how unfamiliar everything is to Regina. “Nearly everything outside of her new home feels strange.”
Regina herself admitted, “I’m happy because I’m no longer stressed.” But she also confessed to CBS News, “There are moments when I think about all of you — my family — and I get sad.”
Despite the sadness, she tries to focus on the future. The better life she fought so hard to build in the U.S. is now being carried on by her children.
Strength Passed Down: A Daughter’s Resilience
“That’s why I have such a strong daughter,” Regina said about Julie. “From a very young age, I taught her to be strong no matter the situation.”
Julie echoes this resilience every day. Even though she and her mother are separated by a border, they stay connected. “We talk and text daily. Sometimes I forget she’s so far away because we talk so much,” Julie shared. But then reality hits — “That’s when the family thing happens — when I realize, ‘Oh my God, you’re actually gone. You’re not actually here.’”
A Closer Look: What This Story Tells Us
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ICE Raids Are Intensifying: The increase in raids has made immigrant families everywhere anxious about what might come next. When you hear about 100,000 arrests in months, it’s a stark reality — not just a statistic.
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Self-Deportation Isn’t Simple: For many like Regina, leaving the U.S. isn’t about giving up. It’s about trying to keep some control in a situation where they otherwise have none.
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Undocumented Doesn’t Mean Unproductive: People like Regina contribute in countless ways. They pay taxes, work hard, and build communities — often without access to any official benefits.
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Family Bonds Transcend Borders: Even separated by miles and walls, families hold tight to each other through daily calls, texts, and shared memories.
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Emotional Toll is Real: Leaving behind a life built over decades, children, and grandchildren comes with deep emotional pain, sadness, and adjustment struggles.
What Makes This Story Stand Out?
What hits hard is the raw humanity behind the headlines and political debates. Regina’s story puts a face on the thousands affected by policies and raids. It’s not about numbers — it’s about mothers, daughters, families. The fear, hope, strength, and sadness they live every day.
Julie’s candid reflections bring that home: “Nobody’s safe.” And yet, they keep pushing forward. Because at the core, it’s about survival and love.
Final Thought: The Invisible Lives Shaping America
Stories like Regina’s remind us that beneath immigration policies and law enforcement actions, there are millions quietly contributing and living with uncertainty.
The journey back home — whether voluntary or forced — is more than just a border crossing. It’s a lifetime of memories, sacrifices, and dreams packed into a single moment of choice.
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