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Cuban Mother Separated from Her Child on Mother's Day Sparks Outcry: "You Are a Warrior"

Sunday, May 11, 2025 by Emma Garcia

Cuban Mother Separated from Her Child on Mother's Day Sparks Outcry: "You Are a Warrior"
Heydi Sánchez must feel a deep sorrow this Sunday, Mother's Day - Image of © Collage Facebook / Carlos Yuniel Valle and Instagram / Javier Díaz

On Mother's Day, Heydi Sánchez Tejeda shared a heartfelt message on social media, marking her first celebration away from her breastfeeding daughter after being deported from the United States to Cuba. Her absence on such a meaningful day added a heavy emotional weight to her words, resonating with many who offered their support and solidarity.

Separated from her child on a day meant for togetherness, Sánchez's post touched the hearts of many, leading to an outpouring of encouragement. "Happy Mother's Day, brave warrior. May God bless you and fulfill your wishes. We have faith He will," wrote Ely De La Rosa. Others joined in with comforting words: "Saying 'congratulations' doesn't fit your heart today, my dear. Peace and tranquility to you, great warrior," commented Maritza Capoye.

Magaly González expressed, "Many blessings to you, brave and virtuous mother. May the God of heavens grant your heart's desires," while Meyli Silvera added, "Congratulations, my dear. May God allow you to be with your little one soon."

For Heydi, Mother's Day was undoubtedly a day of pain and resilience, marked by the enforced separation from her daughter, who, according to family, cries for her mother incessantly. Her situation highlights the human tragedy of forced migration and family separation, echoing the emotional toll on many Cuban women striving for a better future, only to end up distanced from their children without clear answers on when they might reunite.

Tragic Circumstances Surrounding Heydi Sánchez's Deportation

Heydi Sánchez Tejeda, a 44-year-old Cuban mother, was unexpectedly detained during a routine ICE appointment in Tampa, Florida, and was deported on April 23, 2025. This occurred despite her legal marriage to a U.S. citizen, an active family petition, and a clean criminal record. Her one-year-old daughter, who was still breastfeeding, was left in the care of her father in the United States, prompting public outrage.

Back in Havana, Heydi endures constant distress, frequently searching for a signal to video call her daughter. During these brief moments, mother and child cry together, as the little girl attempts to touch the phone screen. "My baby needs me," Heydi pleaded in a video appeal to President Donald Trump, seeking compassion for family reunification.

The case has sparked a strong reaction on social media, where an image of Heydi crying circulated widely, capturing the human cost of impersonal immigration policies that tear breastfeeding mothers from their children. "The day they took her, they tore out my soul," Heydi revealed in an interview.

Public and Political Response to Heydi's Case

In the U.S., her husband, Carlos Yuniel Valle, vocally condemned the treatment his wife received. On social media, he posted, "They separated a child from her mother. They killed a mother, a father, and a child's future in life." Meanwhile, the baby has received medical attention for anxiety and emotional distress due to the separation.

The case has also drawn attention in Congress. Democratic Congresswoman Kathy Castor from Tampa met with Heydi's husband, calling for immediate family reunification on humanitarian grounds. Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar highlighted the need for compassionate immigration reform using Heydi's situation as an example.

Heydi's lawyer, Claudia Cañizares, has pointed out procedural irregularities, emphasizing that Heydi had the right to apply for a pardon and adjust her status through her husband, yet ICE executed the deportation without allowing for a defense. The family now faces a legal battle that could take years.

As a symbol of the broken families caused by administrative decisions, Heydi Sánchez clings to her faith and the support she has received. "They tore my daughter from my arms," she has reiterated in interviews. From Havana, she continues to fight daily, hoping for the day she can embrace her daughter once more.

FAQs on Heydi Sánchez's Deportation and Family Separation

Why was Heydi Sánchez deported from the United States?

Heydi Sánchez was deported following a routine ICE appointment in Tampa, Florida, on April 23, 2025, despite being married to a U.S. citizen and having no criminal record.

How has Heydi Sánchez's deportation affected her family?

The separation has caused significant emotional distress, particularly to her one-year-old daughter, who remains in the U.S. and has received medical attention for anxiety.

What legal actions are being taken regarding Heydi's case?

Heydi's family is pursuing legal action to challenge her deportation, citing her right to apply for a pardon and status adjustment, but the process may take years.

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