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Heydi Sánchez Tejeda, the Cuban mother deported on April 24 from Tampa, Florida, remains separated from her daughter, who is just over a year old, while her family in the United States demands her return and decries a separation they consider "unfair."
This Saturday, her husband Carlos Yuniel Valle, family members, and friends demonstrated in Tampa to raise awareness about the case and seek support from the authorities, especially on the eve of Mother's Day, which Sánchez will spend away from her young daughter.
“I sent her a bouquet of flowers through an app and prepared a meal for Sunday, but she told me that’s not what she wants… what she wants is her little girl,” Valle stated to Telemundo 49.
Sánchez lived in the United States under an I-220B supervision order, granted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which allows individuals to remain in the country while a deportation process is underway.
However, she was deported after attending a routine appointment with ICE, which sparked outrage among family members and immigration rights advocates.
The paternal grandmother, Mirla García, recounted that the girl has not been eating well since her mother was deported: “She eats two spoonfuls, calls for her mom. She misses her a lot.”
The youngest had been breastfed until shortly before the separation.
Since being sent to Cuba, Sánchez has sent several public messages denouncing her situation, including one dedicated to Mother's Day, where she expressed: “I have a broken soul, separated from my daughter without being able to embrace her”, along with an image of herself with the girl.
Recently, her husband held a meeting with a Democratic congresswoman from Tampa, who assured that the family claim process is already underway.
However, Valle warned that this process can take years, which he considers unacceptable: "Heydi cannot be separated for five years due to an injustice," he stated.
The image of this mother after her deportation, holding her daughter in her arms, taken in Cuba, was widely shared on social media due to its emotional and symbolic weight, becoming a symbol of the human impact of migration policies.
In a desperate attempt to expedite the process, the Cuban mother even sent a message addressed to Donald Trump, asking him to intervene to facilitate her return and reunite with her daughter.
In the meantime, the family remains active, trusting that public and legal pressure will manage to reverse the situation. “We haven’t lived yet, we are still fighting,” Valle insisted, hopeful that his wife will return home soon.
Frequently asked questions about the deportation of Heydi Sánchez Tejeda
Why was Heydi Sánchez Tejeda deported?
Heydi Sánchez Tejeda was deported from the United States to Cuba following a routine appointment with ICE in Tampa, Florida. Despite being married to a U.S. citizen and having an ongoing family petition process, she was detained due to an I-220B supervision order, which does not guarantee protection against deportation.
How has the deportation affected Heydi's family?
The deportation of Heydi has had a devastating impact on her family, especially on her one-year-old daughter who relied on her for nourishment. The little girl has experienced anxiety and eating problems since the separation. Her husband, Carlos Yuniel Valle, has publicly expressed the pain and injustice of the situation, even starting a campaign to reverse the deportation.
What actions are the authorities and the family taking to reverse the deportation?
Heydi's family, along with her lawyer, is working on a legal process that could allow her return to the United States, although it may take years. Signature collection campaigns have been launched, and there is support from congressional representatives who demand family reunification for humanitarian reasons.
How has the Cuban community reacted to the deportation of Heydi Sánchez?
The Cuban community in the United States has reacted with outrage and solidarity. Numerous users on social media have expressed their support for Heydi and her family, criticizing the immigration policies that allowed for her deportation. Her case has become a symbol of the human impact of political decisions in the realm of immigration.
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