A Cuban family residing in the United States is engulfed in distress and desperation following an unforeseen twist during a routine immigration appointment. Heydi Sánchez Tejeda, the mother of a one-year-old girl, was taken into custody on April 22 at a Tampa, Florida immigration office during her annual check-in, a step in an ongoing immigration regularization process that had been awaited for years.
Carlos Yuniel Valle, Heydi’s husband and a U.S. citizen, took to social media to share a heart-wrenching video where he urgently appeals for help. In the footage, Valle is seen tearfully holding his young daughter, who was left without her mother in an event many deem "inhumane."
"I am posting this video to urgently request help for my wife, who was detained yesterday at the Tampa immigration office. Today they are transferring her to Miami, and she is set to be deported to Cuba first thing tomorrow," Valle explained on Facebook.
Desperate Plea Amid Separation
In his emotional account, Valle described how the little girl was left inconsolable after being separated from her mother, her cries echoing from outside the immigration office. Heydi, who arrived in the U.S. five years ago and was issued an Order of Supervision and Deportation (I-220B), had been awaiting a response to her claim filed over two years ago.
She has no criminal record and has adhered to all legal requirements: she has always worked, pays her taxes, and stays within the law, making her detention all the more enraging. "My wife has been in this country for five years, she is married to me, a U.S. citizen. We have this beautiful one-year-old daughter who relies on her for everything, especially when she has a fever and seizures. She is entirely dependent on her mother," Valle emphasized.
Outcry Against Perceived Injustice
Carlos Yuniel Valle has voiced his outrage over what he perceives as an injustice against his wife. "She has never even received a ticket in this country. She has worked, paid taxes, and done everything legally. What they are doing to her is an injustice," he stated with a breaking voice.
The family is now facing the terrifying prospect of Heydi being deported to Cuba, leaving behind her daughter, who requires constant care. This detention and looming deportation occur in a climate where many migrant families face uncertainty in their legal proceedings.
Despite U.S. authorities insisting that deportation processes adhere to established legal channels, the anguish of separated families has become a recurring issue in the national immigration debate. The Valle family’s ordeal is far from isolated. The shared video has resonated with many, spreading widely and generating a wave of solidarity.
While Heydi’s future remains uncertain, the family holds onto hope that their story will garner the necessary support to prevent an even greater tragedy: the permanent separation of a mother and her daughter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration Challenges
What led to Heydi Sánchez Tejeda's detention?
Heydi Sánchez Tejeda was detained at a routine immigration appointment as part of her ongoing immigration regularization process.
How has the family reacted to the detention?
The family is experiencing distress and desperation, with Carlos Yuniel Valle sharing a heartfelt video asking for urgent assistance.
What is the current immigration status of Heydi?
Heydi has been in the U.S. for five years under an Order of Supervision and Deportation, awaiting a response to her legal claim filed over two years ago.
What are the implications of Heydi's potential deportation?
If deported, Heydi would be separated from her one-year-old daughter, who is heavily dependent on her mother for care.