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Heydi Sánchez Tejeda published a simple yet heartfelt message for Mother's Day on her social media this Sunday; however, the gesture carried significant emotional weight as it marked her first time away from her nursing daughter on such a meaningful date, after having been deported from the United States to Cuba.
Far from his little one and unable to embrace her on such a symbolic date, Sánchez's message has moved many users who, aware of his situation, have commented on his post with messages of support, faith, and solidarity.
“Happy day to you, brave warrior, many blessings, and may God put His hand upon you and grant your requests. We have faith that it will be so,” wrote Ely De La Rosa.
Other people joined in with words of encouragement: "To say congratulations is a word that doesn't fit in your heart today, my dear. Peace, tranquility, great warrior... and you will have so much happiness with that little girl," commented Maritza Capoye.
“Many congratulations to you, brave and virtuous mother. May the God of heaven grant you the desires of your heart,” expressed Magaly González, while Meyli Silvera added: “Many congratulations, my little girl. May God allow you to be with your little one soon.”
For Heydi, this Mother's Day has undoubtedly been a day of pain and resilience, marked by forced separation and the absence of her daughter, who, according to close family members, never stops crying for her mom.
Her case reflects the human drama of forced migration, family separation, and the emotional toll faced by many Cuban women who, in search of a better future, have ended up far from their children and without clear answers on when they will be able to reunite.
What is known about the case of this Cuban mother?
Heydi Sánchez Tejeda, a 44-year-old Cuban mother, was arrested without prior notice during a routine appointment with ICE in Tampa, Florida, and deported on April 23, 2025, despite being legally married to a U.S. citizen, having an active family petition, and lacking a criminal record.
Her daughter, a baby of just one year who was still breastfeeding, was left in the care of the father in the United States, triggering a wave of public outrage.
Since her forced return to Havana, Heydi lives in a constant state of anguish. She walks several times a day through the streets near her parents' house in search of a signal to make video calls with her daughter.
In those brief connections, mother and daughter cry together, and the little girl tries to touch the phone screen. “My baby needs me,” the mother pleaded in a video addressed to President Donald Trump, in which she asked for compassion to be able to reunite with her family.
Heydi's case has provoked a strong response on social media, where an image of her crying inconsolably circulated widely.
The photograph was published by journalist Javier Díaz and showcased the human face of a faceless immigration policy that can separate a nursing mother from her daughter. "The day they took her away from me, they ripped out my soul," Heydi confessed in an interview.
From the United States, her husband, Carlos Yuniel Valle, has publicly denounced the way his wife was treated. On social media, he posted: “They separated a girl from her mother. They killed a mother, a father, and the future of a girl while she was still alive.” Meanwhile, the baby has been receiving medical care for the anxiety and emotional suffering caused by the separation.
The case has also resonated in the United States Congress. Democratic Congresswoman from Tampa, Kathy Castor, met with Heydi's husband and demanded an urgent reunification for humanitarian reasons.
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar used the case as an example of the need to pass compassionate immigration reform.
The lawyer for Heydi, Claudia Cañizares, has reported irregularities in the process and explains that, although the Cuban mother had the right to apply for a pardon and adjust her status through her husband, ICE carried out her deportation without allowing a defense. Now, the family faces a legal process that could take years.
Transformed into a symbol of migrant families torn apart by administrative decisions, Heydi Sánchez clings to her faith and the solidarity she has received. “They tore my daughter from my arms,” she has repeated in interviews. And from Havana, she fights every day with the hope of embracing her again.
Frequently Asked Questions about the deportation of Heydi Sánchez and the separation from her family
Why was Heydi Sánchez deported to Cuba?
Heydi Sánchez was deported to Cuba despite being married to a United States citizen and having a temporary stay order (I-220B) that allowed her to remain in the U.S. The deportation was carried out following a routine immigration appointment in Tampa, Florida, as part of stricter immigration policies. Despite fulfilling her legal obligations and having no criminal record, her case did not succeed due to a prior deportation order and the lack of resolution of her immigration regularization process.
How has Heydi Sánchez's deportation affected her family?
The deportation of Heydi Sánchez has left her one-year-old daughter in the United States under the care of her father, Carlos Yuniel Valle, who is a U.S. citizen. The separation has been especially painful because the child was still being breastfed and depended emotionally and physically on her mother. The family drama has sparked outrage and support in the Cuban community and has highlighted the flaws in the U.S. immigration system.
What actions are being taken to reunite Heydi Sánchez with her family in the United States?
Heydi's husband, Carlos Yuniel Valle, has launched a petition campaign to request a humanitarian permit that would allow Heydi to return to the United States. Additionally, her lawyer is working on the submission of immigration waivers and the request for an interview at the embassy. Congress members like Kathy Castor have also intervened, demanding explanations for the deportation and requesting humanitarian measures to reunify the family.
How has the Cuban community reacted to the deportation of Heydi Sánchez?
The Cuban community in the United States has reacted with outrage and support for Heydi Sánchez and her family. Many have expressed their dismay on social media, criticizing current immigration policies and the lack of compassion shown in her case. The support has ranged from public campaigns to legal actions aimed at reversing the deportation and reuniting the family.
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