Q&A – Outcomes for Deported Illegal Immigrants
Each day I feature a listener question sent by one of these methods.
Email: brianmudd@iheartmedia.com
Social: @brianmuddradio
iHeartRadio: Use the Talkback feature – the microphone button on our station page in the iHeart app.
Today’s entry: Submitted via talkback Hey Brian, how you doing? This is Scott from Delray Beach, longtime listener. I think one thing that's not talked about when we refer to mass deportation is that these people will be returning to their countries with improved skill sets, which will actually improve the living conditions in those countries. Um, I don't think it's addressed enough. It's actually a positive for those countries.
Bottom Line: Thanks for listening and for this question. Over the years I’ve researched and covered just about every angle of illegal immigration in this country. I’ve never covered what happens with deported illegal immigrants. You raise an interesting point about the potential for some illegal immigrants to have gained skills, money, etc. that could benefit them upon returning to their home country after deportation.
Of course, the illegal immigrant/deportation experience can be vastly different based on where the illegal immigrants immigrated from, where they went to within the United States, what they did while they were here, how long they’d been in the country, etc. Obviously, there are a lot of variables that can come into play. So, let’s break this down...
In researching what happens to illegal immigrants when they return whence, they came – geography plays a massive role in outcomes. There are three buckets of outcomes that are typically experienced by returning illegal immigrants. Those who’re usually worse off, those where it’s a mixed bag, and illegal immigrants who typically benefit. Let’s start with countries where deportees are usually worse off for having come here:
Countries Where Deportees Are Often Worse Off
These are usually countries facing violence, poverty, corruption, or lack of infrastructure. Deportees returning to these countries often face danger, discrimination, and economic hardship:
1. El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala
- High levels of gang violence and extortion
- Deportees are often targeted by gangs for having lived in the U.S. (seen as wealthy)
- Limited job opportunities and government support
- Reintegration programs are weak or nonexistent
2. Haiti
- Extreme poverty, political instability, and insecurity
- Deportees are sometimes detained upon arrival
- Lack of basic healthcare, education, and employment
3. Mexico
- For some, especially long-term U.S. residents, reintegration is difficult
- Cartel violence and risk of targeting
- Social stigma and lack of family connections
4. Nicaragua, Venezuela
- Political repression and economic collapse have made returns dangerous
- Deportees may be seen as "tainted" by foreign values or politics and can be subjected to political persecution
Countries Where Outcomes Are Mixed
These are places where some deportees struggle, but others may adapt or even thrive depending on education, networks, or location within the country:
1. Dominican Republic
- Deportees often face social stigma and may be seen as criminals
- There’s a reintegration system
- Some returnees are able to use skills from the U.S. to start small businesses
2. Jamaica
- Economic challenges exist, but English fluency helps reintegration
- Some deportees find opportunities in tourism, music, or trade
- Others struggle with stigma and lack of social support
3. Philippines
- Strong family structures and remittance culture can support returnees
- But poverty and corruption still create barriers to success
- U.S.-educated or trained deportees fare better economically
Countries Where Deportees Are Often Better Off
These are often more stable countries with stronger economies, returnee support systems, or cultural familiarity:
1. Canada, UK, Australia
- Strong social safety nets and language continuity help reintegration
- Skills, education are transferable and able to be applied
- Often Visa overstays
2. India, China, South Korea (and some Southeast Asian countries)
- If the deportee is young, educated, or from an urban background, they often succeed
- Economies offer tech, education, and business opportunities
- Cultural reintegration is easier for recent migrants or those with strong family ties
- Often Visa overstays
3. Nigeria, Ghana (for U.S.-raised individuals of West African descent)
- English-speaking environment helps
- Growing economies in urban centers allow for skills to be applied
- Some returnees leverage U.S. credentials or business ideas
With illegal immigrants having been traced to well over 100 countries there are obviously many more unique dynamics than just these examples, however there’s enough data overtime in these locations to have an accurate idea of what usually takes place when deportees return to their home countries. The bottom line is that illegal immigrants who return to staple countries with at least some degree of economic independence are generally able to benefit from having been illegal in the United States. Those who return to unsafe countries and those which lack economic independence are often targets of criminals, are unable to apply learned skills and may be viewed as failures within their communities.