Heydi Sánchez Tejeda, a young Cuban mother recently deported from Tampa, shared through tears the agony of being separated from her one-year-old daughter. In an emotional interview with Telemundo, Sánchez described the heartache of the forced distance from her baby after arriving in Cuba on a deportation flight alongside 82 other migrants.
"I was just talking to my baby, and she was asking for me. My breasts hurt because she still breastfeeds. I have to express the milk to relieve the pain," Sánchez explained, her voice breaking. "How do you think I feel wasting my daughter's food? She's just a year old," she added, visibly distressed.
Community Support and Legal Struggles
The case has deeply moved the Cuban community in South Florida, where her husband and young daughter reside. Sánchez was detained during a routine immigration appointment in Tampa on April 22. Without warning, immigration officials informed her of her impending arrest and deportation, despite having an active family petition.
Although married to a U.S. citizen and with her residency application pending, Sánchez's immigration status was precarious. She initially received a Form I-220B, allowing her to remain in the U.S. while her deportation process was being resolved.
Her attorney, Claudia Cañizares, explained that Sánchez first entered under the "Remain in Mexico" program and was kidnapped in Mexico, preventing her from attending a crucial court date, leading to a deportation order in absentia. "She attempted to re-enter the U.S., and although there was already an order, she wasn't immediately deported due to the COVID-19 pandemic," Cañizares noted. "She got married, had her child, and regularly reported to authorities, but efforts to reopen her case were unsuccessful."
Systemic Failures and Policy Impact
The plight of Sánchez highlights significant flaws within the U.S. immigration system, where mothers like her are trapped in endless bureaucratic procedures and policies that tear families apart rather than protect them. Immigration attorney Rosalí Chaviano explained the legal reasons behind Sánchez's deportation, noting that a Form I-220B offers no protection against deportation. Instead, it serves as a supervision order for individuals already facing deportation.
"The I-220B is a supervision order for those with a deportation order," Chaviano clarified. "This order can come from a judge or be expedited. When immediate deportation isn't possible, conditional supervision is granted."
Chaviano emphasized that those under I-220B supervision must regularly report to ICE, where their deportation status is reviewed. Despite Sánchez's compliance and ongoing legalization efforts through a family petition initiated over two years ago, her deportation risk remained.
"Decisions should be made months before scheduled appointments. Having a lawyer present on the same day changes nothing," Chaviano warned, highlighting the vulnerability of individuals with pending legal cases under stricter recent policies.
Personal Impact and Ongoing Fight
Cuban authorities have shown a preference for accepting young, professional migrants without criminal records. "Unfortunately, with Cuba, we've seen a pattern of accepting young professionals who can work and contribute to the country," Chaviano noted. "They're less interested in those with criminal records or long-term U.S. residents."
Carlos Yuniel Valle, Heydi’s husband, vows not to give up: "They tore a family apart; they killed us emotionally." In a heartfelt video, Valle expressed gratitude for the support and vowed to continue fighting for his family’s reunion after his wife's painful deportation.
"I'm making this video without strength, without energy," Valle began, recounting the anguish of not knowing his wife's whereabouts until a friend confirmed her arrival in Havana. "All our efforts were in vain. ICE and Trump got their way," he lamented. "They separated a mother from her child and destroyed a family."
Valle thanked journalists and media outlets like CiberCuba, Telemundo, Univision, Mario Pentón, and a Tampa congresswoman for their support, acknowledging their efforts despite the outcome. He also revealed confusion about the deportation process, noting conflicting information from officials and systems.
He concluded with a determined message: "Thank you to everyone who has helped and continues to help. I won’t give up. We have a process in progress, and we’ll see what we can do."
Questions About Heydi Sánchez's Deportation
Why was Heydi Sánchez deported despite being married to a U.S. citizen?
Heydi Sánchez was deported due to an existing deportation order that remained unresolved. Her Form I-220B allowed her to stay temporarily but did not protect against deportation. Despite being married to a U.S. citizen, her legal status was not regularized in time.
What is Form I-220B, and how does it affect deportation?
Form I-220B is a supervision order for individuals with an existing deportation order. It allows them to remain in the U.S. temporarily but does not prevent deportation. Compliance with reporting requirements is mandatory, but the risk of deportation persists.
How does Heydi's case highlight issues in the U.S. immigration system?
Heydi's case underscores the complexities and shortcomings of the U.S. immigration system, where individuals can be caught in prolonged legal processes and face deportation despite ongoing efforts to legalize their status.