Deportation splits San Antonio Naval Academy midshipman’s family, Castro says

SAN ANTONIO – A family with ties to the U.S. Naval Academy has been separated after the mother of a first-year midshipman was deported to Mexico, according to U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro.

In a post to X on Sept. 3, Castro said: “The mother of David Garcia, a first-year Naval Academy midshipman from San Antonio, was deported last night to Mexico.” Castro said his office “worked day and night toward her release” and that he shared the news with the family and David.

Castro said the mother, Maria, “was in the process of getting a green card and was doing everything the right way,” adding, “Maria should be home, not torn apart from her family and life.” He also wrote, “We cannot allow the president’s mass deportation campaign to destroy more families for profit.”

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In an earlier post on Aug. 27, Castro said he had nominated David Garcia to the U.S. Naval Academy “earlier this year” and that Garcia “began as a midshipman this summer.”

Castro wrote that at the time, Garcia’s mother, “Maria, is locked away at the Dilley Trailer Prison,” and said ICE took her “when she showed up for her green card interview.” Castro added, “She was doing everything the right way.”

Castro criticized the Trump administration in the Aug. 27 post, writing, “The Trump Administration is targeting military families and leaving a dark stain on our nation.” He said then, “I am calling for ICE to release David’s mom Maria, immediately.”