Undocumented Immigrant Departs LA: The Story of Self-Deportation

Abel Ortiz, a 38-year-old undocumented immigrant, has lived in Los Angeles since he was just two months old. For nearly four decades, he's called the bustling city home, building a life cutting hair and fostering a tight-knit community around him. Yet, despite his deep roots in LA, Abel has never truly felt accepted or secure in the place he calls home. In a time of escalating ICE raids and the constant ache of uncertainty, Abel has now made a radical decision: he's leaving – not because he has to, but to escape perpetual limbo and be free to explore the world.

The documentary Abel leaves LA: self-deportation from Trump's America follows Abel's journey as he grapples with this life-changing choice. Born in Mexico, Abel was brought to the United States as an infant, and has lived as an undocumented immigrant ever since. Despite building a full life in LA, he has never been able to truly put down roots or feel a sense of belonging. The sting of being an outsider in the city he loves has only intensified in recent years, as the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies have cast a dark cloud of fear and uncertainty over the undocumented community.

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For Abel, the decision to self-deport is a complex and deeply personal one. On the one hand, he is heartbroken to be leaving behind the life he has meticulously crafted over decades – the hair salon he owns, the friends and chosen family he has made, the vibrant Latino culture that has nourished him. But on the other hand, the constant stress of living in the shadows has become overwhelming, and the prospect of being able to freely explore the world outside of the US is alluring.

As Abel prepares to embark on his journey, the documentary delves into the nuances of his decision-making process. He grapples with the guilt of abandoning his elderly mother, who has depended on him for years, and the fear of the unknown that lies ahead. Yet, there is also a sense of cautious optimism, a glimmer of hope that he may finally find the freedom and belonging he has long craved.

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The film serves as a poignant exploration of the lived experience of undocumented immigrants in Trump's America, where the promise of opportunity and security has given way to heightened anxiety and the agonizing choice between staying in the only home they've ever known or taking a leap into the uncertain future. Abel's story is a powerful testament to the resilience and courage of those who have built their lives in the United States, only to face the painful decision of whether to stay or go.