Florida's Democratic Congresswoman, Kathy Castor, has called on President Donald Trump to swiftly grant humanitarian parole to Heidy Sánchez Tejeda. Recently deported to Cuba under an I-220B, Sánchez was abruptly separated from her husband and their one-year-old daughter, both U.S. citizens.
In a letter released Monday on Castor's official website, the congresswoman described the deportation as a “cruel and illegal” act, branding it a “deep stain” on the Trump administration. Representing Florida's 14th district, Castor detailed how Sánchez, who worked as a home health aide in Tampa and complied with her ICE obligations, was detained without notice, leaving her family behind.
“The treatment of the Sánchez-Valle family is repugnant to American values and constitutional protections. But it doesn't have to be this way,” Castor wrote. “You have the authority to grant humanitarian parole to Ms. Sánchez and reunite this family in Tampa today.”
According to Castor, Heidy’s husband, Carlos Yuniel Valle, reported that the sudden separation traumatized their baby, who was still breastfeeding and had to be hospitalized. The congresswoman emphasized that the child’s health issues necessitate her mother’s immediate presence.
Castor further condemned the fact that Sánchez was “ripped away” from her family during an ICE check-in appointment, despite adhering to all immigration process requirements. She questioned the deportation of a working mother to a country suffering from scarcity and authoritarian control.
“Given the stifling oppression in Cuba and the lack of essential goods like food and clean water, Ms. Sánchez should not be sent to a country where she will suffer,” she stressed.
The congresswoman concluded her letter by referencing Trump’s recent attendance at the funeral of Pope Francis, urging him to act in accordance with his words: “I recommend honoring his memory by acting in accordance with his recent exhortation to value human dignity and fundamental rights.”
Currently, Heidy Sánchez Tejeda remains in Cuba, separated from her young daughter and husband, while civil rights organizations, community leaders, and congressional representatives push for a swift response from the White House.
On her official Facebook page, Castor was even more outspoken, accusing Trump’s administration of hypocrisy. “The Trump administration is blatantly lying when it claims to be pro-family, while the president tears a breastfeeding baby from her mother’s arms to fulfill his extremist deportation agenda,” she charged.
Castor described the situation as “shameful” and assured that her office is in contact with the Sánchez-Valle family, doing everything possible to achieve reunification. “The Trump administration is a disgrace and dishonor to global leadership,” she added.
In response, Heidy’s husband, Carlos Yuniel Valle, expressed gratitude on Facebook for the congresswoman’s support: “Congresswoman Kathy Castor sent a letter to the President of the United States requesting Heidy’s return to her husband and their one-year-old daughter. Thank God for hearing our prayers,” he wrote.
Recently, attorney Claudia Cañizares provided insights into the immigration process and the possibilities for Sánchez's return. She explained that the young mother had a final deportation order since 2019, which she unsuccessfully attempted to reopen before her recent detention.
“We had been recently hired and were in the process of obtaining her immigration record to attempt reopening her case and removing the deportation order,” Cañizares clarified. However, the process was abruptly halted when ICE moved up her check-in appointment, originally scheduled for May, leading to her immediate detention and deportation.
The attorney highlighted that similar cases with fewer humanitarian grounds had resulted in deadline extensions for other migrants, raising expectations of similar treatment for Sánchez. “We were surprised first by the rescheduling of her appointment and second by how she was treated,” she asserted.
Cañizares also criticized ICE for possibly being driven by deportation quota requirements. “I believe, unfortunately, she was treated like just another statistic, a number needed to fulfill quotas,” she lamented.
This deportation has caused profound pain not only to the Cuban mother and her husband but also to their young daughter, as Sánchez shared with CiberCuba. In an interview with Telemundo, Sánchez expressed the heartache of being forcibly separated from her baby, after arriving in Cuba on a deportation flight with 82 migrants.
Impact of Deportation on Families
What are the consequences of family separation due to deportation?
Family separation due to deportation can lead to emotional and psychological trauma for all members, especially young children. It disrupts family stability and can cause health issues, as seen in the case of Heidy Sánchez Tejeda's child who required hospitalization.
What legal options exist for families facing deportation?
Families facing deportation may seek legal assistance to reopen cases or apply for humanitarian parole. Legal advocacy and congressional support can also play vital roles in seeking relief or reunification.