Orlando mother faces deportation after two decades in the U.S.

Maria, a mother of two who has lived in the United States for 20 years, was informed during her regular check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Orlando that she must return to El Salvador, leaving her distraught about leaving her children behind.She was even fitted with an ankle monitor.Maria told WESH 2 how difficult the situation is, and that she does not want to leave her children. Her son, Manny, shared the emotional toll the news has taken on their family.”It’s hard. It is really hard. I have been trying to stay strong, but it gets to a point where I don’t even know what to think,” Manny said.Maria has maintained a clean record, owns a home and works hard to support her family.Manny explained their efforts to secure her citizenship since 2016, noting that legal assistance has been insufficient.”We’ve been trying since 2016 to get her in the right way, the citizenship. Lawyers haven’t helped much,” he said.Adding to her challenges, Maria recently discovered she has skin cancer. Maria’s neighbor, Pastor Jose Rodriguez, described her as a model neighbor who has supported his family through difficult times.”America is about promise and it’s about freedom, but it’s also about safety,” Rodriguez said. “It’s about community. She is a part of the community.”After nearly an hour of uncertainty inside the ICE facility, Maria experienced a moment of relief when she was able to reunite with her family.Manny expressed his feelings about the temporary reprieve. “It felt good,” Manny said. “I get to see her another day. Hopefully longer, but knowing them, you know. It felt good though.”

ORLANDO, Fla. —

Maria, a mother of two who has lived in the United States for 20 years, was informed during her regular check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Orlando that she must return to El Salvador, leaving her distraught about leaving her children behind.

She was even fitted with an ankle monitor.

Maria told WESH 2 how difficult the situation is, and that she does not want to leave her children.

Her son, Manny, shared the emotional toll the news has taken on their family.

“It’s hard. It is really hard. I have been trying to stay strong, but it gets to a point where I don’t even know what to think,” Manny said.

Maria has maintained a clean record, owns a home and works hard to support her family.

Manny explained their efforts to secure her citizenship since 2016, noting that legal assistance has been insufficient.

“We’ve been trying since 2016 to get her in the right way, the citizenship. Lawyers haven’t helped much,” he said.

Adding to her challenges, Maria recently discovered she has skin cancer.

Maria’s neighbor, Pastor Jose Rodriguez, described her as a model neighbor who has supported his family through difficult times.

“America is about promise and it’s about freedom, but it’s also about safety,” Rodriguez said. “It’s about community. She is a part of the community.”

After nearly an hour of uncertainty inside the ICE facility, Maria experienced a moment of relief when she was able to reunite with her family.

Manny expressed his feelings about the temporary reprieve.

“It felt good,” Manny said. “I get to see her another day. Hopefully longer, but knowing them, you know. It felt good though.”