The deportation of Heydi Sánchez Tejeda, a Cuban mother with an I-220B, has shocked the migrant community in the United States, as she has been separated from her daughter, who is only 12 months old.
Her case was discussed in an interview given to journalist Javier Díaz from Univisión Noticias by her lawyer, Claudia Cañizares, who provided details about the immigration process and the possibilities of a potential return.
Heydi Sánchez was deported to Cuba last week, despite being married to a U.S. citizen, Carlos Yuniel Valle. As Cañizares explained, the young mother had a final deportation order since 2019, which she attempted to reopen unsuccessfully before her recent detention.
"We had been recently hired and were in the process of obtaining her immigration record to try to reopen her case and have the deportation order lifted," Cañizares specified.
However, the process was abruptly interrupted when the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities moved up their control appointment, originally scheduled for May, and proceeded with her arrest and immediate deportation.
The lawyer noted that similar situations, with fewer humanitarian reasons involved, had resulted in extensions for other migrants, which created expectations for similar treatment for Sánchez. "It took us by surprise, first that they moved the appointment up, and second, the way they treated her," she stated.
Cañizares also reported that ICE may have acted out of a desire to fulfill deportation quotas. "I believe that unfortunately they treated her as just another statistic, a number they needed to fulfill," he lamented.
Will Heydi Sánchez be able to return to the United States?
The possibility for Sánchez to reunite with his family on U.S. soil exists, although the path will be complicated.
According to the lawyer, it will be necessary to request several immigration waivers due to the previous deportation order and their illegal presence in the country.
"First, we need your immigration record; then we will submit the corresponding pardon applications and request an interview at the embassy," Cañizares explained.
The process could take several years, depending on the approval of the waivers and the evidence presented to justify their absence from a past immigration hearing.
Meanwhile, the family of Heydi Sánchez and her legal team continue to fight to reverse a situation that, beyond the immigration statistics, has left deep human scars.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Case of Heydi Sánchez Tejeda
Why was Heydi Sánchez Tejeda deported?
Heydi Sánchez Tejeda was deported because she had a final deportation order since 2019. Despite being in the process of immigration regularization through a family petition, she was unable to reopen her case or eliminate the deportation order before being detained. Attorney Rosalí Chaviano explained that the I-220B form she carried is only a supervision order and does not guarantee protection against deportation.
Can Heydi Sánchez return to the United States?
Yes, it is possible for Heydi Sánchez to return to the United States, but the process will be complicated and will require several immigration waivers due to her previous deportation order. Her lawyer, Claudia Cañizares, stated that they must first obtain her immigration record and then submit the necessary waiver applications.
What impact did Heydi Sánchez's deportation have on her family?
The deportation of Heydi Sánchez had a profound impact on her family, as she was separated from her one-year-old daughter, who remained in the United States in the care of her husband, Carlos Yuniel Valle. This disrupted the breastfeeding bond and caused significant distress for the family, resulting in a wave of criticism towards immigration authorities for their lack of sensitivity in family situations.
What was the reaction of the migrant community to the deportation of Heydi Sánchez?
The migrant community reacted with deep indignation to the deportation of Heydi Sánchez. This action was seen as inhumane, particularly because it involved the separation of a nursing mother from her daughter. The Cuban community in the United States expressed their dismay and condemnation through social media, criticizing current immigration policies.
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