The 36-year-old woman has lived in the U.S. most of her life. According to San Diego’s Channel 7 news, she immigranted to the United States when she was 14 and is raising two children.
She went to an immigrantion and Customs Enforcement facility for a routine visit, reporting as she was required to do every six months. Without warning, she was taken into custody and her life was turned upside down. Protesters quickly gathered around the Phoenix building to block any attempt to take her to a detention center or to the border for deportation.
Protesters told news media that they oppose the new administration’s efforts to deport immigrants who were not a deportation priority under the Obama administration. With cries of “justice!” dozens of protesters gathered and blocked enforcement vehicles from leaving.
The mother of two was spotted in one of the vans delayed by the protests.
Law enforcement officials said that seven protesters were arrested, but that most of those who came in support of the woman were “peaceful and exercising their rights properly.”
According to the news report, the woman was taken back inside the ICE facility, but might have later been taken out another exit, away from protesters, and transported to either a detention center or the border.
The Trump administration has said it is broadening deportation efforts to include some people who were not previously targeted.
It seems very possible that fewer people will report as required if they fear arrest and deportation as a result.
You can contact the Law Offices of Jan Joseph Bejar, A P.L.C. to discuss deportation defense and related matters.