Image Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection / YouTube
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Immigrants’ rights advocates in the Nashville area are handwringing as their efforts to prevent mass deportations are falling short while they are reportedly seeing an increased number of aliens self deport because of continued immigration enforcement efforts across the state.
After a joint operation between ICE and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) over the summer resulted in the arrests of nearly 200 illegal immigrants, many activists and liberal residents around Nashville were spurred to defend aliens or provide them aid and resources.
But as immigration enforcement efforts have continued to ramp up across Tennessee, many of those activists are expressing worries about immigrant families they have grown close to who have chosen to self deport rather than be potentially taken into ICE custody.
Several of these advocates shared anecdotes about these families with the Nashville Banner, voicing concerns over the conditions they fear await the illegals upon return to their native countries. One such example was given by longtime political activist Ashley Warbington who said she has shifted much of her focus from protecting immigrant families facing imminent removals to helping families prepare to self deport.
Looking to draw sympathy for such cases, Warbington relayed the story of one illegal immigrant, Felipe Mendez Domingo who was pulled over by state troopers during the operation this summer and subsequently detained by ICE agents. Domingo was shown leniency and released from ICE custody when immigration officials learned he was the sole caretaker of his two children as his wife and two-year-old son were killed during a tornado in 2023.
The conditions of his release were that he wear a GPS monitor and address his legal status within five months, but according to Warbington he could not afford an attorney and “had little hope of changing his legal status,” though she did not mention if Domingo attempted to contact any of the pro bono/low cost immigration attorneys recommended by the Department of Justice or other local nonprofits.
After several regular check-ins at the ICE field office without rectification of his illegal status, officials warned Domingo he would be taken back into custody. At that point, he opted to sign documents agreeing to leave the country. As his sons did not have the proper documents to travel by air, the trio departed on the return journey to Guatemala by bus.
Warbington and fellow activists have helped several other families in similar situations, helping to arrange transportation or raising funds, all the while lamenting the conditions awaiting the immigrants in their homelands. One mother who chose to self deport with her children after her husband was deported back to Venezuela sent a letter in Spanish saying she wished she had never left the U.S. because now she no longer has a community of advocates and free resources to help care for her children.
The federal government is offering $1,000 and a free flight to illegals who chose to self deport using the CBP Home App. Those who are deported by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will not be allowed to apply for future lawful reentry into the country.
As of the end of October the DHS estimates approximately 1.6 million aliens have chosen to self deport. Specific numbers for Tennessee were not available, but there has been an obvious impact as local activists continue to relay stories of ever-increasing self-deportations.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
