As President Donald Trump ramps up deportations of illegal migrants, a growing number of undocumented individuals are choosing to leave the U.S. voluntarily, according to a recent report. The New York Times revealed that many foreign nationals in Denver—a city that has welcomed more illegal migrants per capita than any other major U.S. city—are now considering self-deportation rather than facing forced removal.
Biden’s Immigration Policies vs. Trump’s Enforcement Crackdown
This dramatic shift in sentiment marks a major departure from the Biden administration’s more lenient immigration policies. Under Biden, millions of foreign nationals were allowed to apply for asylum and remain in the country. Republicans have long argued that this approach was designed to boost Democratic electoral numbers in key states where native populations were in decline.
However, with Trump returning to the White House and enforcing strict deportation policies, many illegal immigrants are now reconsidering their future in the U.S.—fearing the possibility of detention or deportation.
Venezuelan Migrants Weighing Their Options
The Times profiled several Venezuelan migrants who originally came to the U.S. seeking better economic opportunities but are now rethinking their stay due to the changing political climate.
A 29-year-old Venezuelan national named Christian, who arrived in Denver in 2023, initially sought asylum and a work permit. However, as Trump’s immigration enforcement escalates, he has begun to question whether he should leave the U.S. before facing deportation.
“I just hope to leave before they deport me,” said another Venezuelan migrant named Jesús, who entered the U.S. in 2024, was detained for some time, and later released.
Jesús, who has five sisters relying on his support, explained that he originally came to America to work and provide for his family but now feels safer leaving on his own terms.
Some Migrants Still Plan to Stay—For Now
While many illegal immigrants are considering leaving, others are determined to stay—at least temporarily.
A Venezuelan couple, Karla and Ender, who arrived in Colorado with their four children, acknowledged that they are living far better in the U.S. than in Venezuela.
“You can barely make enough money to feed your family in Venezuela,” Karla told The Times.
Although they are aware of the changing immigration policies, they have decided to remain in the U.S. for at least two more years, hoping to achieve their financial goals before voluntarily leaving.
“We’ll leave once we’ve accomplished our goals—maybe in two years,” Ender added.
AOC Staffer Self-Deports After Decades in the U.S.
In a separate but related case, a former staff member for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Diego de la Vega, has also left the United States, citing legal and immigration concerns.
Born in Ecuador, de la Vega arrived in the U.S. as a child in 2001 on a visitor’s visa, which he eventually overstayed. Under President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, he was able to stay and work in the U.S., despite lacking legal status.
However, he recently chose to leave the country permanently, noting that his immigration status prevented him from living freely.
“It’s bittersweet. I hadn’t left the country in 23 years—from age seven to age 30,” de la Vega told Migrant Insider. “Now, I can’t go back to the U.S. It feels like exile.”
Despite leaving behind his career in politics, de la Vega stated that his decision brought him a newfound sense of freedom.
“It feels surreal to not be illegalized anymore. I don’t have to live in the shadows or constantly worry about paperwork,” he explained.
Did AOC’s Office Violate Federal Employment Laws?
De la Vega’s departure has also raised questions about his employment status while working for Ocasio-Cortez.
He first became politically active after the Dream Act failed in 2010, joining immigrant rights organizations before eventually serving as Deputy Communications Director for Ocasio-Cortez’s re-election campaign.
However, federal law prohibits DACA recipients from holding paid positions in congressional offices.
According to Fox News, it remains unclear whether AOC’s office violated employment laws by hiring de la Vega. Despite this, Ocasio-Cortez praised her former staffer, calling him “amazing” and expressing her support.
Republicans Double Down on Immigration Reform
Trump’s strict immigration enforcement policies have already begun to reshape migration patterns, with self-deportations rising and illegal crossings dropping in anticipation of stronger border security.
With Republicans pushing for tighter immigration laws, Democrats face increased pressure to defend their stance on asylum policies and border control.
As Trump’s administration continues to crack down on illegal immigration, experts predict that more undocumented individuals may choose to leave voluntarily—a trend that could reshape the national immigration landscape for years to come.