Introduction to a Difficult Decision
“Today is my last day right here in the United States after 20 years. It’s time to go,” said Alfredo Linares, who left Culver City eight weeks ago with his American wife, fearing arrest, detention and deportation.
“I just felt very emotional and sad that I’m leaving,” said Linares, who opted to self-deport to his native Mexico before being targeted by ICE agents. “I just felt I was going to be picked up and asked questions and all of that.”
Background and Career
Linares immigrated to the U.S illegally when he was just a teenager. For 20 years, he excelled in the food industry, working his way up to a cook at a Michelin star restaurant.
Two years ago, he and his wife, Raegan Kline, went into business together operating a street vending pop-up and catering business.
They got married, hoping to correct Linares immigration status, but that would have required him to return to Mexico for at least a decade.
He didn’t want to be separated from his wife and had wished for an immigration reform.
The Decision to Leave
Raegan Kline, a U.S. citizen, said she decided to move to Mexico with her husband, who decided to self-deport amid immigration crackdowns.
But the new administration meant his hopes were dashed, and the couple decided they wanted to avoid the chaos of deportation and leave LA on their own terms.
“I loved it there. It is home, it was my home, and it was hard to leave,” said Raegan, who is learning Spanish as she maneuvers her new life in a new country. “I’m not going to risk my husband going to a work camp or being sent to El Salvador.”
Starting Anew in Mexico
For now, they’ve come to Puerto Vallarta, hoping this could be their new home, a place where they say they feel safe and free.
"Everything is going to be OK,” said Linares. “We have to understand to let go of things so we could keep getting blessings.”
As positive as Linares feels about the couples future in Mexico, their first two months have been like a roller coaster of emotion. He said it was joyful to see his mother in person for the first time in 20 years, but he stressed about starting a business and a new life in a country he barely remembers.
“I feel foreign in my own country,” said Linares.
“I also went through a feeling like I’m somehow betraying the (United States),” said Raegan. “I feel like I’m the type of person that would stay and fight.”
Conclusion
For now, they are focus on each other, their new county, new home and a future without fear and feeling free in Mexico. The decision to self-deport was not easy, but for Alfredo and Raegan, it was a choice that allowed them to stay together and build a life free from the fear of detention and deportation. Their story highlights the complexities and challenges faced by mixed-status families in the United States and the difficult decisions they must make to ensure their well-being and safety.
FAQs
- Q: Why did Alfredo Linares decide to self-deport?
A: Alfredo Linares decided to self-deport to avoid the chaos of deportation and potential separation from his wife due to his illegal immigration status and the crackdowns by ICE agents. - Q: Where did the couple move to?
A: The couple moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in search of a new home where they could feel safe and free. - Q: What challenges are they facing in Mexico?
A: They are facing challenges such as starting a new business, adjusting to a new life, and feeling foreign in their own country, among others. - Q: Why did Raegan Kline decide to move with her husband?
A: Raegan decided to move with her husband to avoid the risk of him being sent to a work camp or being deported to another country, and to stay together as a family.
