Quebec Vasquez has lived in the U.S. since she was a child, building a family and a life here. But despite having legal status, the fear of deportation under Donald Trump’s policies has pushed her to make an agonizing decision: to leave the country and move back to Mexico with her family. This story was originally reported by The Independent.
Vasquez, 33, was brought to the U.S. from Mexico at age seven. She’s lived and worked in the U.S. ever since, raising three daughters and holding temporary legal status under the DACA program. But with the rising fear of mass deportations under Trump’s administration, she says the stress has become unbearable. “I live in constant fear,” she says. “Right now, I’m uncomfortable driving my kids to school.”
Vasquez’s decision to leave the U.S. is a heartbreaking one, but it highlights the intense anxiety faced by immigrant families, even those with legal status, in the current political climate. Since Trump’s presidency, the government has ramped up deportation efforts, and even U.S. citizens have been targeted in some cases. For Vasquez, the constant uncertainty of her future led her to make a difficult choice.
Though she has DACA protection, Vasquez says that it no longer feels like a guarantee. “I feel like DACA at this point doesn’t really hold any value if even U.S. citizens are getting questioned,” she says. “I don’t want to risk being separated from my daughters.”
Her journey started in 1999 when her mother brought her to the U.S. in search of a better life. They settled in New York, and after learning English, Vasquez built a life in the U.S. She met and married George, who also came to the U.S. as a child. The couple received legal status under DACA and felt safe and stable, especially during Obama’s presidency.
However, everything changed after Trump’s election. His promise to end DACA and carry out mass deportations left Vasquez and her family with constant fear. The family continued to live in the U.S. under DACA, but Vasquez says she became increasingly anxious about their safety.
“When I get pulled over, I don’t know if I’ll be given the chance to prove my status right away,” she says. “Then what? Who’s going to pick up my kids from school?”
Ultimately, Vasquez and her husband decided that the best way to keep their family together was to leave the U.S. for Mexico. After researching options, they chose Merida, a city known for its safety and colonial charm. Though they’re nervous about the change, they believe it’s the only way to ensure they won’t be torn apart.
“I feel like the American dream that I envisioned when younger has ended,” Vasquez says. “The doors have shut. I’m having to fight racism, the high cost of living. The dream I once had doesn’t exist anymore.”
While their daughters don’t speak much Spanish, they’re excited to learn and embrace their new home. Vasquez plans to document their journey through a YouTube channel, sharing their story with others who might be in similar situations.
Despite the challenges ahead, Vasquez is focused on her family’s future. She hopes that by sharing her experience, others will understand the emotional toll immigration policies can have on families, especially those who are legally in the country but still live in fear of being separated.
This story was originally reported by Richard Hall for The Independent.
