Sasha and Julio Mendoza are saying their final goodbye to the United States, marking a significant and emotional transition in their lives. This decision didn’t come without considerable deliberation, reflecting the complexities inherent in their mixed-status family dynamic. Sasha identifies clearly as a Pittsburgh native, while Julio, humorously, may even identify more closely as one despite having moved to the country at the tender age of 11. The couple often reminisces about their initial interactions, highlighting how even their first date revolved around Julio’s passion for his adopted home team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, which became a central piece of his identity, symbolically represented in his social media moniker, “Mexican Yinzer.”
At the heart of the Mendoza family’s challenges lies a significant legal hurdle. Julio is an undocumented immigrant originally from Mexico, while Sasha and their three children are U.S. citizens. For seven years, they have lived in a mixed-status household, where the arrival of President Donald Trump and his hardline immigration policies profoundly altered their family’s trajectory. Trump’s administration took immediate action upon his election, instituting strict immigration enforcement measures that heightened fears within immigrant communities. For Sasha, the anxiety of living under such precarious circumstances intensified, as she recounted her feelings of unease over the last few years to a CNN reporter.
Federal policies under Trump’s direction, which included executive orders aimed at reversing any leniencies previously afforded to undocumented immigrants, ushered in a period marked by escalating fears that forced Sasha to question if it was time to leave the United States. A pivotal moment came when she suggested to Julio that perhaps moving to Mexico was a necessity. Julio’s response was equally sobering as he agreed, stating that, given the climate of fear surrounding immigration enforcement, it was indeed time to consider a new life elsewhere.
In the span of just six months, the Mendoza family set about the considerable task of preparing for this significant life change. They meticulously organized their affairs in Pittsburgh, from packing up their home to contemplating how the move would impact their local construction business. The couple conducted extensive research to transition their family of five to life in Mexico, ages 8, 5, and 4.
Their decision aligns with a growing number of families and individuals in the U.S. who are voluntarily departing the country. The Trump administration had previously publicized policies promoting self-deportation, which included a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign to encourage individuals to leave voluntarily, revealing a broader attempt to reduce the undocumented population within the country. This environment of fear extended beyond just undocumented individuals; U.S. citizens like Sasha and their children made the difficult choice to leave to stay united with their spouses and fathers in uncertain times.
Julio’s journey began when he crossed the U.S.-Mexico border at the behest of his mother and subsequently settled in Pittsburgh. The bright lights and towering structures of the city filled him with wonder, evoking dreams of the American dream he had long heard about. However, the realization of his undocumented status didn’t occur until his late teenage years when he sought higher education, prompting a shift from his initial aspirations of becoming a pediatrician to venturing into the construction industry to make a living in a country where opportunities were scarce due to his legal status.
Eventually, he met Sasha in 2018, and their connection solidified into a deeply intertwined life together. Over the years, they faced the hurdles typical of a mixed-status household, desperately seeking a legal pathway for Julio’s status that would allow him to remain with his family without fear of deportation. Legal consultations often led to disappointing conclusions regarding potential citizenship pathways, forcing them to accept that their circumstances might not change.
Although they had discussed the possibility of relocating to Mexico in the future, the shifting political landscape hastened those plans. The fear surrounding potential deportation transformed into worrying about security and safety—primarily, a fear for their children’s well-being and the possibility of separation due to enforcement actions against Julio.
A particularly harrowing event further compounded their fears when Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national, faced wrongful deportation to a violent prison in El Salvador, serving as a stark reminder of the very real dangers they could confront. It was this incident that galvanized the Mendoza family; they resolved not to wait until faced with similar circumstances.
As they bid farewell to Pittsburgh, their wedding anniversary was commemorated with a goodbye party surrounded by family and friends. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and tears, accompanied by the chaos of children joyfully playing together. Their suitcases stood ready by the door, symbolizing a bittersweet departure charting a new course for their family.
Sasha and Julio are not isolated in their journey. Online platforms, particularly TikTok, have become instrumental spaces for individuals contemplating or already navigating life outside the United States, fostering a community where the exchange of practical life-aspects tips and experiences becomes a crucial resource.
Ultimately, the Mendoza family embraced their decision to leave the U.S. on June 28
