Janie Pérez, a US citizen, made the profound decision to relocate her family to Mexico after her husband, Alejandro Pérez, was deported. The couple's life changed instantly when Alejandro was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Despite not speaking Spanish and leaving behind her life in Missouri, Janie moved with their two young daughters, Luna and Lexie, to Querétaro, Mexico, to remain a family.
Alejandro, who had lived in the US undocumented for 16 years, was deported despite having no criminal record. The couple had previously attempted to secure legal status for him through marriage, but were unsuccessful. Janie described seeing her husband in detention as "heart-wrenching" and the separation as "inconceivable."
Another couple, Raegan Klein and Alfredo Linares, also voluntarily moved to Mexico from Los Angeles to avoid potential deportation. Alfredo, who had lived in the US for over two decades, and Raegan, who does not speak Spanish, are now facing challenges in establishing a new life and business in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, after leaving their established careers.
These families' stories underscore the personal toll of increased US immigration enforcement, forcing difficult choices between separation and relocating to an unfamiliar country.