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The father of a U.S. Navy sailor deployed in Iran was deported by ICE agents to Mexico in January, while his daughter was serving in the military and, months later, faced the risk of war in the Middle East, according to a report by Noticias Telemundo based on family testimonies.
The story focuses on Jessica, a member of the U.S. Navy stationed on a warship, and the impact that her father's deportation has had on her family during a time of heightened tension.
According to the provided material, Jessica departed in November from the naval base in San Diego heading to Iran aboard a warship.
Her mother recounted that was the last time she saw her at home and that, since the beginning of the war on the Saturday mentioned in the report, she and her other daughter, Ana, are holding on to their faith to cope with the anxiety of the potential tragedy.
"We only gave her our blessing, may God our Lord take care of her," said Jessica's mother, who requested to keep her face hidden.
At another point in the report, he expressed the fear he has been living with since his daughter was deployed: “I feel the pain, I also feel the fear because I don’t want to lose something important in my life.”
Although, according to the report, the family cannot share too much information about Jessica's mission, her sister Ana explained that the young woman remains on board the ship serving as a weapons technician.
"She is more focused on the missiles, bombs, and materials that she has to repair and clean," she indicated, describing the tasks she performs onboard the military vessel.
The report adds that Jessica not only represents a source of pride for her family but also for her community. Her photograph, according to the document, remains displayed on one of the busiest streets in Huntington Beach.
"When I look at her photos, it gives me strength; it gives me strength, and I say, there is my warrior, the pride of our family," her mother stated.
She is at war, her father deported
However, while Jessica is deployed in a conflict zone, her father is following the situation from Mexico, separated from the rest of the family after being deported.
The report indicates that he was arrested by ICE agents in January while traveling in a car with Ana, one of his daughters. Following that arrest, he was deported from the country.
Jessica herself then reacted with a video referenced in the report. "While I'm away, my family is being separated at home," she said, in a message that reflects the personal impact of deportation while she was serving far from her home.
The mother of the soldier explained that the separation from her husband had already been a very hard blow for the family and that, amidst the war, their worry has doubled.
"I have already gone through a very difficult moment by separating my husband from our home. Now I ask God for my daughter to return home," she stated.
That anguish becomes even more intense when thinking about Jessica's return. According to the report, when she comes back from her mission, her father will not be able to greet her or embrace her like he did last time.
"It will be very difficult for him because, as he said, I won't be able to receive my little girl or cook her favorite meals," Ana recounted, referring to what it means for the father to experience that moment from outside the United States.
The piece from Noticias Telemundo, written by María Paula Ochoa, highlights the dual burden faced by this family: on one hand, the fear for Jessica's safety amidst the war in Iran; on the other, the pain of the father's deportation, which prevents the family from being together during an especially delicate time.
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