Carlos Yuniel Valle, the husband of recently deported Cuban mother Heidy Sánchez Tejeda, has openly criticized Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar for her silence regarding the forced separation of his family. "My God, I can’t keep watching my wife suffer like this. Where are the human rights of this country? She doesn't deserve this. Answer, María Elvira Salazar, you have remained silent on this matter. Don’t leave Congresswoman Kathy Castor of Tampa to fight this battle alone. I beg you…," Valle expressed on his Facebook page.
This statement comes amidst mounting public pressure over Sánchez’s case, who was deported to Cuba after attending a routine meeting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leaving behind her husband and their one-year-old daughter, both of whom are U.S. citizens.
Democratic Congresswoman Kathy Castor, representing Florida’s 14th District, condemned the deportation as "cruel and illegal" and sent a letter to President Donald Trump demanding humanitarian parole for Heidy Sánchez to reunite with her family. "Mrs. Sánchez was mercilessly torn from her family’s arms. This separation contradicts American values," Castor wrote in her official letter. "The baby, still nursing, had to be hospitalized after the trauma," she added.
The legislator sharply criticized Trump's immigration policies and called for consistency with pro-family rhetoric. She urged action "in memory of Pope Francis," who recently passed away, urging respect for fundamental human rights.
In stark contrast, Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, representing South Florida and known for her active stance on immigration issues, has not publicly addressed this case. Her lack of response has sparked frustration among the Cuban community in Tampa and local leaders advocating for bipartisan action.
The family's attorney, Claudia Cañizares, explained that Heidy Sánchez had a deportation order dating back to 2019 but had started proceedings to reopen her case. The deportation took place after ICE moved up her appointment without proper notice and executed the deportation abruptly.
"Sánchez was treated as just another number in a deportation statistic. There are other cases with less humanitarian weight that have received extensions. This was unjust," Cañizares stated.
Heidy Sánchez remains in Cuba following her deportation along with 82 other migrants, while her daughter continues to live in the United States with her father, dealing with both physical and emotional consequences.
Key Questions About Heidy Sánchez's Deportation
What led to Heidy Sánchez’s deportation?
Heidy Sánchez was deported following a routine ICE appointment, despite having started proceedings to reopen her case. Her deportation was carried out suddenly after her appointment was moved up without proper notice.
How has Congresswoman Kathy Castor responded to the deportation?
Congresswoman Kathy Castor condemned the deportation as "cruel and illegal" and sent a letter to President Trump demanding humanitarian parole for Sánchez, highlighting the adverse effects on her family.