San Antonio, Texas – A Mexican immigrant in Texas is struggling to maintain stability for her family after her husband was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) five months ago. She is now solely responsible for the financial burdens of their three children and the mounting legal fees associated with his case.
The woman, originally from Coahuila, Mexico, requested anonymity, explaining the profound disruption to her family’s life since her husband’s arrest in September . He was subsequently transferred to an ICE detention center. She has since taken on the responsibility of providing for the family while navigating the complexities of his immigration proceedings.
“It’s very difficult because I have to gather money to be able to get him out,” she told N+ Univision 41, as reported. “I have to send him money so he can talk to me. The calls are very expensive, they weren’t before, but now they are. Dividing $1,400 for rent among the bills, the phone lines… before, for me, it was, well, I’m going to call my daughters, but now it’s for his call.”
Currently, the family’s only contact with their father and husband is through brief video calls from the detention center. These calls, while providing a vital connection, add to the financial strain.
“It was difficult for me, and everything went blurry. I even wanted to die, to be honest, because my husband is the pillar of everything,” the woman said, visibly emotional. The emotional toll of her husband’s detention is significant, and the family faces an uncertain future.
The absence of their father will be particularly felt in May , when one of their daughters is scheduled to graduate. His inability to attend the ceremony underscores the far-reaching consequences of his detention.
Since September , the woman estimates she has spent between $5,000 and $6,000 on legal representation, video calls, and provisions for her husband while in detention. This financial burden is compounded by the loss of his income, leaving her to manage the household expenses alone.
This case reflects a broader trend of families being torn apart by ICE detentions, as highlighted in recent reporting. A Dallas family is facing similar struggles after a mother seeking asylum was detained by ICE in October , leaving her children in the care of their grandmother. CBS News Texas reported on the financial and emotional hardship this situation has created.
The detention of Jose Navas, a husband and father from Humble, Texas, illustrates another instance of this pattern. Detained by ICE agents in West Texas in July , Navas had lived in the U.S. For 22 years and was working towards citizenship, with no criminal record. His wife, a U.S. Citizen, is now seeking legal help to secure his release, as detailed by Click2Houston.
Similarly, Alexa Batista, a Cuban mother in Houston, Texas, experienced the abrupt detention of her husband during a routine immigration appointment. She now faces the daunting prospect of navigating the legal system alone while caring for her children, as reported by Cubaheadlines.com. She even considered self-deportation to avoid potential detention herself.
These cases underscore the ripple effect of ICE detentions, extending beyond the individual detained to impact entire families. The financial strain, emotional distress, and uncertainty surrounding the future are common themes. The woman from Coahuila remains resolute in her determination to reunite her family.
“I don’t lose hope that my husband will come through that door,” she stated, expressing her unwavering belief in his eventual return. Her story, and those of other families facing similar circumstances, highlight the human cost of immigration enforcement and the challenges faced by those navigating the U.S. Immigration system.
The detention of immigrants with pending asylum cases, valid work permits, and no criminal records, as seen in the case of Mayra Bonilla Garcia in Dallas, raises questions about ICE’s enforcement priorities. Her attorney, Jessica Peréz-Salazar, noted that her detention occurred despite these factors, according to CBS News Texas. ICE maintains that it operates within the bounds of the law, but the impact on families remains profound.
The case of Jose Navas also highlights the potential for seemingly minor infractions – in his case, lacking a driver’s license – to trigger ICE detention, even for long-term residents with strong ties to the community. This raises concerns about the scope of ICE’s authority and the potential for arbitrary enforcement.
