"As Trump Administration Encourages Self-Deportation, One Family Shares the Impact" (March 6, 2026). WBUR Here & Now.
This WBUR Here & Now interview follows Jenni and Fidel Rivera, a mixed-status couple married for 17 years whose family was forced to confront the consequences of self-deportation after Fidel, who had lived in the United States without legal status for nearly three decades, returned to Mexico. The story highlights the emotional and practical toll immigration enforcement policies can impose on U.S. citizen spouses and children. AFU member Julie Moreno is referenced in the coverage as part of broader advocacy efforts supporting mixed-status American families.
"'Faith Implores Us to Act': Interfaith Panel Helps New Yorkers Strategize to Support Immigrants" (March 5, 2026). Documented NY.
This article covers a New York interfaith panel organized by Brotherhood Synagogue and Documented that brought together faith leaders, advocates, and community members to discuss how New Yorkers can move from symbolic solidarity to concrete action supporting immigrant communities. The discussion highlighted rising enforcement pressures, conditions in detention centers, and grassroots organizing strategies. AFU members Julie Moreno and Lucia Goyen were mentioned during the discussion, sharing their experiences as U.S. citizens married to undocumented immigrants and emphasizing the structural barriers mixed-status families face under current immigration law.
"With Partners Who Were in the Country Illegally, Some American Women Choose to Move to Mexico" (March 4, 2026). NBC News.
This NBC News feature reports on U.S. citizens who have relocated to Mexico to remain with undocumented spouses amid intensified immigration enforcement in the United States. Through personal stories of mixed-status couples, the article illustrates the difficult choices families face—living apart, risking detention and deportation, or rebuilding their lives abroad. The reporting highlights broader patterns affecting mixed-status families and references research from American Families United estimating that approximately 1.5 million U.S. citizens live with the threat of separation from their partners due to immigration policy.
"Jacksonville Mom: My Husband's Deportation Nearly Killed Me" (February 26, 2026). The Florida Times-Union.
In this opinion column, a Jacksonville public health nurse shares the personal and medical toll of her husband’s deportation to Brazil, describing the emotional trauma, financial collapse, and strain of raising children with significant medical needs alone. The piece highlights the broader human consequences faced by U.S. citizens in mixed-status marriages and calls for bipartisan immigration reform to prevent family separation.
"New Survey Exposes Growing Crisis for U.S. Citizens in Mixed Immigration Status Marriages" (February 12, 2026). TexasGOPVote.
An article highlights findings from the 2025 AFU National Survey of Mixed-Status Couples, presented at a Capitol Hill press conference led by Rep. María Elvira Salazar alongside business, faith, and advocacy leaders. The survey documents worsening emotional, financial, and medical hardship for U.S. citizens in mixed-status marriages and promotes the bipartisan Dignity Act as a legislative solution to prevent family separation and address workforce challenges.
"Newsmax Rising Bestsellers – Week of Feb. 9, 2026" (February 9, 2026). Newsmax.
An article highlights Rep. María Elvira Salazar’s book Dignity Not Citizenship: The Truth About Immigration No One Is Telling You as a featured bestseller, outlining her proposal to strengthen border security while providing long-term, noncriminal undocumented immigrants with legal status short of citizenship. The piece presents the book as a contribution to the national immigration reform debate and emphasizes a “dignity, not citizenship” framework.
"Rep. Salazar Joins Press Conference Highlighting New National Findings on Mixed-Status American Families and the DIGNITY Act" (February 5, 2026). Office of Rep. María Elvira Salazar.
A congressional press release details a Capitol Hill press conference featuring Rep. María Elvira Salazar, American Families United, ABIC Action, faith leaders, industry representatives, and impacted U.S. citizens presenting findings from the 2025 AFU National Survey of Mixed-Status Couples. The event highlighted documented emotional, financial, and medical hardship facing mixed-status families and emphasized the bipartisan DIGNITY Act of 2025 as a legislative solution to protect U.S. citizens and keep American families together.
"Maria Elvira Salazar Holds Press Conference On Immigration Bill Amid ICE Controversy" (February 5, 2026). Forbes Magazine .
At a press conference hosted by American Families United, Rep. María Elvira Salazar and bipartisan advocates presented findings from Collateral Damage: How Immigration Policy Harms U.S. Citizens in Mixed-Status Marriages, highlighting how current immigration enforcement harms U.S. citizens and identifying the Dignity Act of 2025 as a solution to keep families together.
"Governor Murphy Undercuts Promise to Stand With Immigrants, Withholds Full Immigrant Protections" by NJAIJ Comms Team (January 20, 2026). New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice.
Advocates criticized Governor Phil Murphy for signing only the Safe Communities Act while allowing two major immigrant protection bills to lapse. The article highlights concerns that the failure to enact privacy and trust protections leaves immigrant communities vulnerable amid intensified ICE activity, and notes that Julie Moreno of American Families United Action emphasized the need for full protections to ensure due process for New Jersey residents.
"Ask Governor Murphy: Governor Murphy Says Goodbye" (January 15, 2026). WNYC.
In this episode of Ask Governor Murphy, Governor Phil Murphy reflects on his eight years in office and responds to questions from callers across New Jersey. The program includes a call from Julie Moreno of American Families United, who shared her experience as a U.S. citizen with an undocumented spouse and urged the governor to fully sign pending immigrant protection bills. Her remarks highlighted the difficult choices faced by mixed-status families and called on state leadership to uphold New Jersey’s values by protecting immigrant communities.
"Study Found Immigration Enforcement Hurting American Citizens, Dignity Act Solution" by Staff (January 14, 2026). West Orlando News.
A national study by American Families United finds that U.S. immigration enforcement is harming American citizens in mixed-status marriages. Based on the 2025 AFU National Survey, the report shows widespread emotional and financial hardship and forces many families to choose between separation or leaving the United States. The study identifies the bipartisan Dignity Act of 2025 as a solution to keep families together while protecting public safety.
"US immigration policy is separating families of American citizens, report reveals" by Patricia Serrano (January 7, 2026). Enlace Latino NC.
A national report by American Families United finds that U.S. immigration policy is separating American citizens from their spouses in mixed-status marriages. Based on a 2025 survey of over 200 citizens, the study shows that one in five couples already live apart or abroad, and more than 80% have considered leaving the United States due to fear of deportation. The report highlights long-term marriages with U.S. citizen children, widespread emotional and financial hardship, and the absence of viable legal pathways to keep families together.
"Holidays without my husband: What U.S. immigration policy costs families" by Julie Moreno (December 21, 2025). The Hill.
In this opinion essay, Julie Moreno describes her experience as part of a mixed-status marriage after her husband, Neftalí, returned to Mexico due to U.S. immigration policies. Moreno reflects on spending the holidays without her husband, the emotional toll of forced family separation, and the limitations of current immigration law. She argues that Congress should pass the American Families United Act to allow judges greater discretion to keep mixed-status families together.
"New Study Finds U.S. Immigration Enforcement Is Hurting American Citizens, Identifies the Dignity Act as the Solution" (December 23, 2025). Office of Rep. María Elvira Salazar.
A congressional press release highlights findings from a national study by American Families United showing that current U.S. immigration enforcement policies are harming American citizens in mixed-status marriages. Based on the 2025 AFU National Survey of Mixed-Status Couples, the report documents widespread emotional, financial, medical, and spiritual hardship and finds that many families are being forced to choose between separation or leaving the United States. The release identifies the bipartisan Dignity Act of 2025 as the proposed solution, emphasizing its goal of keeping American families together while strengthening the rule of law.
"Family of Rolesville man who self-deported braces for 'different' Christmas" by Sean Coffey (December 23, 2025). ABC11 WTVD.
This news article features the Rivera family in Rolesville, North Carolina, as they prepare for the holidays following Fidel Rivera’s self-deportation to Mexico. The story highlights the emotional impact of family separation, the challenges faced by his wife and daughters, and their hope that sharing their experience might inspire change in U.S. immigration policy.
"Under One Roof" by Ira Glass & Valerie Kipnis (November 16, 2025). This American Life.
"Act 1: A House Divided" (starts at 18:11) of this podcast episode features Jenni and Fidel Rivera and their family as they debate whether Fidel should self-deport — then cope with the reality of living with family separation.
“Two Women Share What It Was Like to Lose Their Husbands to ‘Self-Deportation’” by Anna Lekas Miller (November 15, 2025).
This article features Julie Moreno, U.S. citizen and AFU member, whose husband Neftalí self-deported to Mexico amid rising fears of detention under federal immigration policies. The piece highlights the emotional and practical hardships that mixed-status families like hers face as they navigate forced separation.
“Trump’s ICE Arrested a Whistleblower Who Exposed Sexual Assault in Detention. Now, He’s Left the Country.” by Francesca D’Annunzio (October 20, 2025). Texas Observer.
Douglas Menjivar is a 50-year-old master mechanic from El Salvador who spent much of the last two decades living in the United States. He endured multiple stints in immigration detention, where he suffered sexual assaults and inadequate protection, and later became an advocate for immigrant rights. Despite marrying a U.S. citizen and seeking legal residency, he faced repeated detention and legal hurdles. Menjivar’s story highlights the trauma, family separation, and challenges faced by immigrants navigating the U.S. immigration system, ultimately leading him and his wife to voluntarily relocate to Spain.
“LOCAL Facing possible detention or deportation, NC father leaves on his own terms” by Nathan Collins (October 20, 2025). The News & Observer.
This article highlights Jennifer Rivera, a U.S. citizen and AFU member whose husband, Fidel Rivera, self-deported to Mexico after living undocumented in the U.S. for 30 years. Jenni’s story illustrates the difficult choices mixed-status families face under heightened immigration enforcement.
“Mexican father, reflecting a trend, leaves family of 19 years and self-deports due to threat of arrest” by Laura Romero, Ely Brown, and Matt Rivers (October 19, 2025). ABC News.
This article features Jennifer Rivera, a U.S. citizen and AFU member, whose husband, Fidel Rivera, self-deported after 30 years in the U.S. due to immigration enforcement. Her story emphasizes the emotional and legal challenges mixed-status families face.
“Undocumented father self-deports after living in the US for 30 years” by Matt Rivers (October 19, 2025). ABC News Video.
This video features Jennifer Rivera, U.S. citizen and AFU member, whose husband self-deported to Mexico to protect their family. Her experience shows the human impact of immigration enforcement on mixed-status families.
“Live Discussion: US Citizens Separated from Spouses w/ Julie Moreno” by Austin Kocher and Julie Moreno (October 18, 2025). Substack.
This live discussion features Julie Moreno, a U.S. citizen and AFU member, who supported her husband Nefatlí Juárez in self-deporting to Mexico. Julie’s advocacy highlights the legal gaps that force mixed-status families into difficult choices.
“Self-deportation or detention, the crossroads of 1.4 million couples in the Trump era” by Patricia Caro (October 15, 2025). El País.
This article profiles Julie Moreno, U.S. citizen and AFU member, whose husband Nefatlí Juárez self-deported due to fear of ICE detention. The piece illustrates how federal immigration policies affect millions of mixed-status couples nationwide.
“My Husband Self-Deported So He Could Be Free era” by Pablo Manríquez (October 15, 2025).
This post profiles Julie Moreno, U.S. citizen and AFU member, whose husband Nefatlí Juárez self-deported due to fear of ICE detention. The piece illustrates how federal immigration policies affect millions of mixed-status couples nationwide.
"Texas Woman Sends Message to Trump After Husband Detained by ICE" by Billal Rahman and Dan Gooding (February 6, 2025). Newsweek.
This Newsweek article reports on a Texas mother of three whose undocumented husband was detained by ICE after a traffic stop, placing their mixed-status family at risk of separation. The piece details the emotional and practical toll on the family, including the impact on their young children, and highlights criticisms of intensified deportation policies under President Trump. Attorneys and advocates argue that the husband, who has no criminal record and is married to a U.S. citizen, should be eligible for legal status, underscoring broader concerns about how immigration enforcement affects mixed-status families.