TAMPA, Fla. — President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and mass deportations have been one of the administration’s top priorities all year, leading to millions of undocumented immigrants being removed or self-deporting.
That’s leaving some families facing a holiday season that looks different this year.
What You Need To Know
Immigrant families in Tampa Bay are facing a different Christmas due to deportation policies
One Tampa Bay area family shared what the holidays will look like without a loved one
The family, whose identity is being withheld, said it’s also been a financial struggle to provide a Christmas for the family
While ornaments adorn their Christmas tree, one family in Hillsborough County say something is still missing.
“I’m very sad because, you see, our tree might still be present in our home, but it’s missing the light, like our family were missing a piece of our light,” said Elizabeth, a mother of three.
About four months ago, she said her husband was deported back to Guatemala following a traffic stop.
Elizabeth asked Spectrum News to hide her and her family’s identity because of that, and because she’s here legally on a pending asylum application.
Elizabeth said Christmas was something the family looked forward to every year, but she said without her husband it’s been difficult.
“We’re very sad and so are my children, because they won’t have gifts or a Christmas dinner this year,” she said. “We’re going to have a sad Christmas this year.”
Elizabeth said she’s struggling financially now as the sole provider for her family. She remains in contact with her husband through phone calls about twice a week.
Her children said they miss their dad and are concerned about the future.
“I don’t want the same to happen to my mom,” said Ivan, one of Elizabeth’s kids.
Elizabeth said while Christmas feels incomplete this year, her children keep her motivated and moving forward.
“We left our country to be in peace here with our families, and to have food on our table, but this holiday season will be different for us, and I just pray we will be OK,” said Elizabeth.
She said the family will continue to lean on each other and remain hopeful for the new year.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security is encouraging undocumented immigrants to self-deport through its CBP home app. The department is offering a $3,000 stipend for those who self-deport by the end of the year.