Heidy Sánchez, a Cuban mother recently deported from the United States, is living a nightmare after being separated from her 17-month-old daughter, who remains in Tampa, Florida, in the care of her father.
The image of Heidy holding a phone with her head against a door is heartbreaking. Her story is seen as one of the saddest legacies of the immigration policy driven by the Trump administration.
Just for that reason, various news outlets have reached out to Sánchez in search of her words. "You're taking my life away," she told the agency EFE.
Meanwhile, OnCuba, an accredited digital site on the communist island, also managed to contact her to learn about the scene she experienced in an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) office, where agents detained her, ignoring her lawyer's intervention and changed her life in the blink of an eye.
Deported without warning and separated without compassion
Sánchez arrived in the U.S. in 2019, after a long and perilous migration journey from Nicaragua, hoping to build a family away from the difficulties faced in Cuba, where, after multiple medical attempts, she was unable to conceive.
Once in U.S. territory, she was entered into the controversial Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program, implemented during Trump's first term. Her migration process was marked by delayed appointments and changes that culminated in a sudden rescheduling, leaving no room for maneuver.
“They called me on Monday afternoon while I was working and told me that my appointment was moved up to Tuesday,” he recalls. “I explained that I couldn't just be absent like that, that I needed to find someone to cover for me. But they didn't care.”
At the hearing, she was locked in with her lawyer, who presented the medical, legal, and family history, pleading for a reconsideration. The ICE officer, she recounts, was firm: “That no longer matters, it has already been decided.”
A case that moves international media
The story of Heidy has resonated in media around the world, including NBC, CNN, The Guardian, and El País, due to the cruelty of the process and the direct impact on a mother and her baby, separated without humanity or a clear protocol.
Since her deportation to Cuba, Heidy lives in anguish and uncertainty. “My daughter is an American citizen. I came here looking to be with her, seeking family. And they send me back as if I had no ties or history,” she laments.
Symbol of a faceless migration policy
Heidy Sánchez's case is one more in the long list of migrant families torn apart by administrative decisions that ignore the human implications, even when there are underage U.S. citizens involved.
"They tore my daughter from my arms," Heidy said to Oncuba from the island.
"And the worst part is that she still thinks her mom is going to come back from work. She doesn't know that I've been sent back to a country where I no longer have a life."
Activists and migrant advocacy organizations have reported that this new wave of deportations reflects a hardening of the immigration system under the pressure of the MAGA environment, which seeks to reinstate radical practices such as MPP, Title 42, and expedited deportations, regardless of individual circumstances.
Democratic congressman from Tampa meets with the husband of the Cuban woman
Just a few days ago, Democratic Congresswoman from Tampa Kathy Castor met with Carlos Yuniel Valle, husband of Heidy Sánchez.
"We are taking all possible measures to reunite this family and, unfortunately, we are still waiting for a response from the White House explaining its illegal actions," announced the politician on her Instagram account.
Castor, who represents Florida's 14th district, wrote that this story is not only disturbing but also outrageous. "The Trump administration is separating families for political purposes," she wrote.
For his part, Yuniel Valle, an American citizen, is also not giving up. Today, his family is shattered. He has his daughter in his arms and his wife just over 100 miles away.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Deportation of Heidy Sánchez and the Separation from Her Daughter
Why was Heidy Sánchez deported from the United States to Cuba?
Heidy Sánchez was deported despite being married to a U.S. citizen and having a daughter in the U.S. due to a deportation order that dated back to 2019. Despite having an I-220B form that allowed her to remain temporarily in the country while her case was being resolved, the authorities decided to move up her immigration check appointment and proceed with the deportation without prior notice.
What is the current situation of Heidy Sánchez's daughter?
The daughter of Heidy Sánchez, just a year old, is in the United States under the care of her father, Carlos Yuniel Valle. The little girl is still breastfeeding, which has created a situation of distress for both her and her mother, who has expressed the pain of separation from Cuba.
What legal actions are being taken to reunite Heidy Sánchez with her daughter?
Heidy Sánchez's lawyer is working on requesting immigration waivers that could allow her return to the United States. The process could be long and complicated, depending on the decisions of immigration authorities. Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to obtain humanitarian parole to facilitate her return.
What reactions has the case of Heidy Sánchez generated in the migrant community and public opinion?
The case of Heidy Sánchez has generated outrage and solidarity within the migrant community and among human rights advocates. The deportation of a nursing mother and the separation from her daughter have been viewed as inhumane acts and have sparked criticism of the current immigration policies in the United States.
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