Here's a sweet headline: U.S. illegal immigrants 'self deport' as woes mount (Reuters, Dec 23, 2007)

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Mexican illegal immigrant Lindi sat down with her husband Marco Antonio in the weeks before Christmas to decide when to go back to Mexico.

She has spent three years working as a hairdresser in and around Phoenix, but now she figures it is time to go back to her hometown of Aguascalientes in central Mexico.

"The situation has got so tough that there don't seem to be many options left for us," Lindi, who asked for her last name not to be used, told Reuters.

It must be self-esteem-enhancing for Mexicans to take charge of their own repatriation. True, it's not as cheap as having La Migra provide free transport, but foregoing handcuffs must be highly empowering.

Anyway, the take-away point from the various Arizona Mexodus stories is that when the job magnet is removed, many illegals will skedaddle south to the beloved homeland. As we knew would happen.

The only other choices are working under the table or going full-tilt criminal. There is at least one reported case of "Arizona's immigration enforcement drove me to crime." Hopefully there won't be more.

The tough Arizona law doesn't take effect until Jan 1, but the countdown is becoming palpable, at least among the media.

We can count on the MSM to detail every iota of emotional turmoil endured by Mexicans et al as they struggle with hauling off all their American loot.

Jorge, 34, was driving an extended-cab Ford F-150 pickup that was so overloaded with the family's belongings that the vehicle no longer looked safe for highway travel. The bed of the pickup sagged under the weight of a full-size refrigerator, an air-conditioning unit, a television and a microwave oven, while the Francos' three young children grew restless inside the cab.

Franco's wife, Liliana, 25, drove a second vehicle. Her Dodge minivan was packed just as full, with clothing, toys and household items. Several suitcases that didn't fit inside had been lashed to the roof. [Holiday visit to Mexico becomes one-way trip, Arizona Republic, Dec 18, 2007]

Apparently the generous Presidente Calderon has pledged a program to guarantee "humanitarian and dignified treatment to a half-million Mexicans deported each year."

No mention from Mexico City of whether self-deporters will be eligible for the aid.