A mother was deported to Cuba last week after attending a routine check-in at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Tampa, Florida. Heidy Sánchez was sent on a flight from Miami, leaving behind her one-year-old daughter and U.S. citizen husband in the United States.
Ms. Sánchez's daughter, Kaeleyn, is a U.S. citizen and reportedly has health conditions requiring medical attention. The family stated the child is still nursing and distressed by the separation. Her husband, Carlos Yuniel Valle, has expressed concerns about the impact on their daughter.
Mr. Valle, a naturalized U.S. citizen, said he and Ms. Sánchez were in the process of seeking a green card for her through family reunification. This process was not complete at the time of her removal. Ms. Sánchez had previously received a deportation order for missing an asylum hearing but later entered the U.S. and was reporting regularly to ICE.
Legal experts note that individuals without final approval for residency status remain subject to existing immigration orders. Michael Vastine, director of clinical programs at Stetson University College of Law, highlighted changes in how the U.S. is applying the Cuban Adjustment Act compared to previous decades and the increasing physical removal of Cubans.
According to her attorney, Claudia Cañizares, Ms. Sánchez was detained during her appointment and told she would be deported. Her legal team attempted to file a stay of removal on humanitarian grounds, but Ms. Sánchez was removed before it could be processed. Learn more about the deportation.
The case occurs during a period of increased immigration enforcement, including the deportation of some parents who have U.S. citizen children. Ms. Sánchez stated she was not given the option to take her daughter with her to Cuba. Reports have detailed other similar cases.
Mr. Valle has sought help from elected officials. U.S. Representative Kathy Castor's office issued a statement following the deportation, stating that immigration enforcement should be lawful and humane. An inquiry to the office of Senator Rick Scott resulted in a response indicating inability to assist in legal matters.
The situation highlights the vulnerability faced by many immigrants required to report for check-ins while navigating pending legal cases or existing removal orders. Routine immigration check-ins have led to detentions for some individuals who previously reported without issue.
Heidy Sánchez has been in contact with her family in Tampa when possible, expressing worry for her daughter.
"Our daughter is suffering. She is the most affected one and that scares us," Sánchez said by phone from Havana.