Leaving the United States Behind

"For years, Rachel and Irvi had been hustling to make this routine work, hoping that American immigration policy would evolve and allow Irvi, who had spent half his life in the United States, to become a citizen. Raising two children in New York City was expensive. Each day felt like a marathon they didn't think they could finish. But the girls were thriving, and Rachel and Irvi were beloved at work."

"I met the Cruz family in late 2016, when Donald Trump's election, and his contempt for immigrants, first made them think of moving to Irvi's hometown, in rural southern Mexico. But their daughters were just 2 and 4 then, and uprooting them was daunting. Four years later, Joe Biden's win made the Trump years seem like an aberration, and Rachel and Irvi thought, once again, that a solution to their problem was within reach."

"Then came 2024, when 77.3 million Americans voted for Trump. His campaign signs had called for MASS DEPORTATION NOW! To the Cruzes, the message was clear: Irvi should give up and go home. The family had never been apart for long. The four of them linked arms or held hands when they walked down the street together, without seeming to notice they were doing it. Separation was not an option. So they would go, all of them."

Rachel and Irvi Cruz worked exhausting jobs in New York City to support their two gifted daughters while navigating immigration uncertainty. Rachel taught high school while Irvi worked multiple jobs, maintaining a demanding routine that kept their family together. For years, they hoped American immigration policy would change to allow Irvi citizenship. Trump's 2016 election initially prompted relocation thoughts, but Biden's 2020 win renewed their hope. However, Trump's 2024 victory with 77.3 million votes and campaign promises of mass deportation convinced them their situation was hopeless. Rather than face potential separation, the family decided to relocate together to Irvi's hometown in rural southern Mexico, abandoning their established life and professional success.

Read at The Atlantic