An Update on ICE’s “deport-yourself” program… | “IMMIGRATION LAW CONNECTION” | — A blog on all things related to U.S. Immigration Law by Steven A. Culbreath, Esq.

Reflecting further on this, one wonders why any of the estimated half-million aliens who could potentially ‘benefit’ from this and would want to do this, — other than for reasons of coordinating their departure from the U.S. somewhat on ‘their’ terms.

In order for this new program to even stand a chance of working, Aliens who are removable (i.e. deportable) would have to weigh the risks and consequences of being arrested by law enforcement and forcefully deported “on the spot”, against quietly living in the shadows and avoid any run-ins with the law.

One consideration would be the immigrant population’s perception of how likely it is for them to be caught, detained and deported. For some aliens, this fear is a very real, daily fear. Others take a more laissez-faire approach and roll their dice… and take their chances.