self deportation is a pipe dream. I was watching a piece on Telemundo the other day where they were interviewing day laborer illegals, and one of them mentioned "one thing I cannot do is return home empty-handed". They will stay and find other ways of supporting themselves (crime, the dole, etc.)
For self-deportation to happen in significant numbers there has to be a simultaneous three-prong course of action: 1) eliminate the dole (free medical, education, etc.), 2) heavily fine illegal-hiring employers, and 3) repeal the anchor baby laws. Anything short of that would be ineffective.
If self-deportation works then it works - if not, then the illegals will either be eventually caught or they will be assimilated.
If the border is secured and the influx stopped then the illegals already here will become much less of a problem.