Self-Deportation Nation

“Self-Deportation Nation” provides a critical look at the history, development, and use of self-deportation strategies in the United States. The author defines “self-deportation” as “efforts to make life so unbearable for a group that its members will leave a place.” Through an examination of historical episodes such as Indian removal, the emancipation of slaves and black colonization efforts, the article highlights how direct and indirect methods have been used throughout American history to encourage an ethnic or social group to go elsewhere. The author explains that “the term is strongly associated with recent state and municipal attempts to ‘attack every aspect of an illegal alien’s life,’ including the ability to find employment and housing, drive a vehicle, make contracts, and attend school.” The role of subordination and private discrimination is further highlighted as an indirect tool that the federal government and states used throughout history not only to remove unwanted groups from the country, but also to achieve maximum control over their labor. The article also suggests that indirect methods often paved the way for, and eventually intertwined with, more forceful, direct removal methods. The authors believe that it is important to recognize the interconnectedness and complementary relationship of self-deportation and the direct deportation system. “Without seeing how direct and indirect strands of removal policy developed together and in relation to one another, it is not possible to understand the dynamics and scope of the immigration system as a whole.” (Stephanie DePauw for The Immigrant Learning Center’s Public Education Institute)

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