A Cuban mother is on the brink of eviction while single-handedly caring for her three young children—one of whom is seriously ill—after her husband was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Residing in Georgia, the family has been left emotionally and financially adrift since Yoendris Leyva Lambert was taken into custody on December 2 during a routine immigration appointment.
"My life ended here in the United States. We completely rely on him," expressed a tearful Ana Maris Leyva, the detained man's wife, during an interview with local media.
A Family in Crisis as Deportation Looms
Ana Maris insists that her husband, who had applied for political asylum in the U.S., poses no threat to the community. Judicial records referenced by a local news outlet indicate that Leyva Lambert only had minor traffic violations and no serious criminal charges.
However, his asylum request had previously been denied, and he is now in immigration detention in El Paso, Texas, after refusing to sign a final deportation order. From detention, Yoendris relayed to his family that the only option presented to him is deportation to Mexico, a country he has never visited and where he feels unsafe.
"They want to deport me to Mexico, but I am not from there, and I don't know anyone there. I won't feel safe," he stated with concern.
Struggles of a Mother Left Alone
The Cuban arrived in the United States in 2017 by crossing the sea in a makeshift boat. His arrival coincided with the termination of the "wet foot, dry foot" policy, a measure enacted by then-President Barack Obama, which adversely affected his immigration process.
According to Ana Maris, crucial documents proving he was a victim of political persecution in Cuba were lost during the journey, and Cuba now refuses to accept him back. "Due to his illegal departures, my husband was under constant surveillance and harassment by the Cuban regime," Ana Maris explained.
Now, that past of surveillance and threats has been overshadowed by a deportation order, while the family faces a harrowing reality.
A Public Appeal for Support
Since her husband’s detention, Ana Maris has been solely responsible for her three children, including Angelina, who is just five years old and suffers from severe cerebral palsy. "She cannot speak, hear, sit, or hold her head up," the mother expressed with visible distress.
This condition prevents her from seeking employment, leaving the family with no income. As the rent deadline looms with no means to pay it, Ana Maris finds herself surrounded by boxes, preparing for the inevitable: eviction.
"I'm packing all my belongings; everything is in boxes. If he is deported, I won't have rent, I won't have anything," she stated.
Despite being a permanent resident in the United States and having filed a family petition in 2022 to regularize her husband's immigration status, the request remains unresolved. Meanwhile, the family's situation continues to worsen by the day.
In desperation, Ana Maris has turned to the community to prevent her children—including her daughter with a disability—from ending up on the street. Through a GoFundMe campaign, she has sought assistance to cover rent and basic household expenses.
"Please help me, I beg you," she wrote in the campaign description. "I'm alone with 3 children, one with cerebral palsy. I implore any help, please. I sincerely ask for your assistance. I am in a moment of desperation for my children, as our support, my husband, is now gone. Please help me, I plead from the bottom of my heart. God bless you all for your help," the text adds.
Cases like Yoendris Leyva's highlight the gaps in the U.S. immigration system, especially for those caught between shifting policies and legal decisions that overlook human realities, such as caring for children with severe disabilities. The Cuban government's refusal to accept deportees further complicates the fate of these families, leaving them in a legal limbo without a country or protection.
Impact of Immigration Policies on Families
Why was Yoendris Leyva Lambert detained by ICE?
Yoendris Leyva Lambert was detained by ICE during a routine immigration appointment because his request for political asylum had been denied.
What challenges does Ana Maris face while caring for her children?
Ana Maris faces the challenge of caring for her three children, one of whom has severe cerebral palsy, without any income, as her husband's detention has left the family financially strained.
How has the termination of the "wet foot, dry foot" policy affected Yoendris's immigration case?
The end of the "wet foot, dry foot" policy, enacted by President Obama, negatively impacted Yoendris's immigration process by eliminating special considerations for Cuban migrants arriving in the U.S.