Mercedes Capaz, a Cuban-born American citizen, once supported Donald Trump, believing he would safeguard families. Today, she feels utterly betrayed. Her only son, Pedro González Capaz, has been detained by ICE for four months and faces deportation to Cuba after spending two decades in the United States.
"I feel so betrayed because I never thought this would happen to me or to many others," she tearfully expressed to Telemundo. Since her son's arrest, her life has been consumed by prayers and anxiety. "I am constantly on edge, fearing something has happened to him. I find myself crying, kneeling, and pleading with God. Ever since this began, I have no life," she lamented.
González, 37, was taken into custody on March 2 at his Key Largo, Florida home by immigration officers, despite being under the I-220B supervision program and adhering to all requirements. "He wasn't due for another check-in until April, but they told me this change is due to the new administration," Capaz explained.
The impact on González's family has been profound. His children are also grappling with the separation. "I miss him and wish to see him again. I don't know when that will happen," his eldest daughter shared.
Currently held at the Glades Detention Center, González awaits a decision on his immigration status. Through a video call, he conveyed, "This isn't easy; many families are being torn apart."
Having arrived in the U.S. in 2003 with his mother after winning a visa lottery, González attended high school in Miami, though he didn't graduate until age 19. During this time, he was convicted of being a "sexual predator" due to a relationship with a minor, leading to the loss of his permanent residency.
Capaz insists her son has abided by the law for the past 15 to 20 years, building a family and owning a home in the U.S. She now fears a wave of mass deportations driven by more aggressive immigration policies. "It seems like this is going to be massive because it just doesn't stop. I don't agree with anything he's doing," she said, referring to President Trump, whose approval rating has dropped from 47% to 40% according to recent polls.
González's case highlights a growing concern: Many Cuban Americans and Venezuelans in Florida, once Trump supporters, now feel their families are bearing the brunt of their vote. He is not the only Cuban facing potential deportation after years of stability in the U.S. Another recent case involves a Florida resident detained by ICE at home despite complying with supervision conditions after a drug possession conviction over a decade ago.
His wife, the mother of two young children, asserts he has maintained exemplary behavior since then, and the family is now in a dire situation. Such cases have sparked significant concern among Florida's Latino community. A father was also arrested, raising alarms among human rights advocates and the Cuban community in the southern part of the state, who are encountering these situations with increasing frequency.
His wife recounted the dangers he faced in Cuba for participating in the July 11 protests, explaining that returning would pose a real threat: "He can't go back to Cuba. He was watched, threatened, and now they want to send him to Mexico."
The stories of deportation equally affect the partners of those sent back to Cuba. Roxana Maldonado, a Cuban living in the U.S. for 21 years, shared an emotional video on social media detailing how her life has changed since her husband, Reinier Gutiérrez, was deported to Cuba. The young mother described the profound emotional impact and everyday challenges she faces to keep her family united despite the distance, the hardships on the island, and the uncertainty of the future.
Key Questions About Cuban Deportations and Family Impact
What led to Pedro González Capaz's detention by ICE?
Pedro González Capaz was detained by ICE due to changes in immigration enforcement policies under the new administration, despite being under the I-220B supervision program and complying with all requirements.
Why does Mercedes Capaz feel betrayed by Trump?
Mercedes Capaz feels betrayed by Trump because she believed he would protect families, yet her son now faces deportation under policies she perceives as aggressive and detrimental to her family.
How has the deportation threat affected families in Florida?
The threat of deportation has caused significant distress among families in Florida, leading to emotional hardship and raising concerns among Latino communities and human rights advocates.