After Two Decades in the U.S., DACA Recipient Prepares to Self-Deport

Nya W. never imagined she’d spend most of her life in the United States. In 2001, at the age of 14, she arrived in New York from Trinidad and Tobago on a visitor’s visa with her father for what was supposed to be a brief three-week stay with her mother in Brooklyn. Soon, however, she learned that her mother had no plans to return to Trinidad, and everything changed. Her father, unwilling to overstay his visa, returned home while Nya stayed behind. That three-week visit became the start of a life she hadn’t chosen but had to embrace.

Now 37, and after spending nearly two-thirds of her life here, Nya is preparing to leave the United States. 

As an undocumented immigrant, she has lived under the protections of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was introduced in 2012 under the Obama administration to shield undocumented immigrants who arrived as children from deportation and grant them work authorization. 

But DACA offers no pathway to citizenship, and its uncertain future has left many recipients like Nya, known as DREAMers, in a constant state of limbo. Rather than waiting for policies to decide her fate, Nya says she is taking control, choosing to self-deport and leave the U.S. on her own terms. She had been considering this move for years, but says President Donald Trump’s recent return to the White House and the growing mistreatment and deportation of immigrants solidified her decision. 

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“I’ve spent years worrying about what will happen next,” Nya, who preferred not to disclose her last name, explained. “With the [DACA] program under constant threat, I realized I can’t keep living like this waiting for policies to change […] so that’s why I decided to move to Grenada.”

For years, Nya struggled to build a life in the U.S. while navigating the challenges of her immigration status. Living in New York, a sanctuary state, allowed her to attend school before becoming a DACA recipient. She worked as a preschool teacher in Brooklyn to support herself while pursuing a degree in architecture. Yet, no matter how hard she worked, she faced the same obstacle — DACA provided temporary protection, but not long-term stability. 

“I’ve done everything right,” she said. “I went to school, I worked, I paid taxes, but at the end of the day, my future here is still at the mercy of politics.”

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The uncertainty surrounding the DACA program — recently ruled unconstitutional by a federal court and upheld in January — has only deepened Nya’s sense of instability and confirmed her desire to make a life-altering decision: at the end of the year, she will leave Florida for Grenada, where her grandfather and extended family live.

“Self-deportation is about taking control […] it’s about saying, ‘You no longer have power over me.’ I refuse to let my livelihood and future be used as a political football,” Nya said.

For her, moving to Grenada represents an opportunity to finally put down roots in a place where she will feel secure. “I’ve lived most of my life here, but I can’t keep living in fear of what might happen. This isn’t just about leaving the U.S.; it’s about starting fresh and building a life where I feel free.”

That same recognition of the need for stability and community led to the founding of ONWARD, formerly known as Departed DREAMers. Started in 2021 by Tawheeda Wahabzada, Eun Suk (Jason) Hong and Monsy Hernandez, ONWARD helps individuals like Nya navigate the complexities of self-deportation. The national organization offers resources, including guidance on relocating to countries with more accessible immigration processes, legal consultations to remove reentry bars and advice on finding job opportunities. The organization, now with over 5,000 members, was created by DACA recipients to support other DACA recipients and undocumented individuals exploring life outside the U.S.

“ONWARD is my way of taking control back,” said co-founder Hernandez, a DACA recipient from Mexico City who was brought to the U.S. at age 15.

Through a Facebook group and email outreach, the organization provides a space for sharing stories of resilience and empowerment. As the community has grown, the organization has recruited volunteer moderators to manage increasing demand. ONWARD now conducts one-on-one virtual consultations Monday through Friday, averaging two new Dreamers who are planning to leave the country daily. 

Also Read: Stay Prepared: A Guide For Migrants At Risk of Detention or Deportation

“We host webinars to help people understand complex legal issues, like the Hranka waiver, which removes bars of inadmissibility,” Hernandez explained. “A recent session with attorney Rina Gandhi was especially helpful, as she broke down how different bans — such as 3-year, 10-year, or permanent bars — can impact individuals. Many people don’t realize these bars exist, and learning about them can be eye-opening.” Bars are penalties that would prevent those who are in the US under “unlawful presence” from re-entering the United States without authorization if they leave.

Co-founder Hong, a DACA recipient who arrived in the U.S. from South Korea at age 10, estimates that at least a few dozen ONWARD members are now living abroad, with thousands more considering leaving due to fears surrounding U.S. immigration policies.

“Since the most recent election, ONWARD has seen a surge in engagement, receiving approximately 100 new membership requests per day,” Hong shared with Documented. “While we avoid speculation, it’s clear that fear among undocumented individuals and DACA recipients is rising. I estimate that more than 50 members have already left.”

Through ONWARD, Nya has connected with other Caribbean DACA recipients who have already left the U.S., learning from their experiences and building a support system as she prepares for her journey. She is now researching opportunities in Grenada, including possibly starting her own business to support herself after leaving the U.S. 

“I don’t want to make a drastic move without a plan,” Nya said. “Right now, I’m networking with people in Grenada — relatives and community leaders — to explore job and business opportunities on the island while still earning U.S. dollars.”

For Nya, self-deportation isn’t just about leaving — it’s about reclaiming her future. She is currently crowdfunding to build a hurricane-resistant mini-mart in Grenada, aiming to use her architectural skills in a meaningful way. She is still deciding whether to run the business herself or hire someone, as she plans to pursue additional projects to create multiple streams of income.

As she prepares for this next chapter, Nya hopes her story will inspire others to take control of their futures — no matter the obstacles.

“I’ve spent my life waiting for the system to change,” she said. “Now, I’m taking charge of my future.”