Graci Juarez, a 20-year-old from Florida, is relying on community support in Immokalee to bring holiday cheer to her siblings after her mother, Marcela Cortes Vasquez, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) less than a month ago.Juarez is stepping into a role no young adult expects, making Christmas happen for her 15-year-old sister and 13-year-old brother, who was recently diagnosed with autism, despite their mother’s absence.”Thankfully, the community has been very helpful and so kind enough to gift us things and help us around the holidays,” Juarez said.Juarez recently learned that detainees, including her mother, were being moved from Florida to Texas. Despite her initial concerns about communication, Marcela is now able to connect with her children via a facility tablet, allowing them to reunite virtually just before Christmas.”I’m so thankful for every single thing that the community has done for me and my family,” Juarez said.Juarez and her aunt are trying to make Christmas as normal as possible for the family. Marcela was taken into custody by ICE agents while on a bus with other Pacific Tomato workers. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 31.”It’s sad because my mom has always been there,” Juarez said.When Marcela was in Florida, she communicated with her family up to four times a day. Juarez initially panicked upon learning of her mother’s transfer to Texas, fearing a loss of communication. However, the family has been able to maintain contact through FaceTime and frequent calls.”Communication has been great, you know, and now that she’s moved to Texas, we’re able to FaceTime her too. And she calls a lot. So that’s nice,” Juarez said.Graci Juarez continues to bring holiday cheer to her siblings and family, holding onto hope for her mother’s return home soon.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

IMMOKALEE, Fla. —

Graci Juarez, a 20-year-old from Florida, is relying on community support in Immokalee to bring holiday cheer to her siblings after her mother, Marcela Cortes Vasquez, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) less than a month ago.

Juarez is stepping into a role no young adult expects, making Christmas happen for her 15-year-old sister and 13-year-old brother, who was recently diagnosed with autism, despite their mother’s absence.

“Thankfully, the community has been very helpful and so kind enough to gift us things and help us around the holidays,” Juarez said.

Juarez recently learned that detainees, including her mother, were being moved from Florida to Texas. Despite her initial concerns about communication, Marcela is now able to connect with her children via a facility tablet, allowing them to reunite virtually just before Christmas.

“I’m so thankful for every single thing that the community has done for me and my family,” Juarez said.

Juarez and her aunt are trying to make Christmas as normal as possible for the family. Marcela was taken into custody by ICE agents while on a bus with other Pacific Tomato workers. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 31.

“It’s sad because my mom has always been there,” Juarez said.

When Marcela was in Florida, she communicated with her family up to four times a day. Juarez initially panicked upon learning of her mother’s transfer to Texas, fearing a loss of communication. However, the family has been able to maintain contact through FaceTime and frequent calls.

“Communication has been great, you know, and now that she’s moved to Texas, we’re able to FaceTime her too. And she calls a lot. So that’s nice,” Juarez said.

Graci Juarez continues to bring holiday cheer to her siblings and family, holding onto hope for her mother’s return home soon.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.