Deported to Cuba, mom says she never had an 'option' to take her 17-month-old daughter with her
Heidy Sánchez was so distraught that she got on the rooftop of a house in Havana to get Wi-Fi connection and send her daughter a bedtime lullaby via WhatsApp.
The Tampa-area mother was deported to Cuba last week without her 17-month-old U.S.-citizen daughter, who has a history of seizures and was still being breastfed, she and her lawyers told NBC News.
'My daughter tells me over the phone, 'Come, mama.' And when she cries, she just keeps saying, 'Mama, mama, mama.' It's overwhelming ... I can't even sleep at night,' Sánchez said by phone from Havana.
Sánchez's case illustrates the stepped-up pace of deportations of immigrants who don't have criminal charges or convictions, even though President Donald Trump said during his election campaign the focus would be on deporting violent criminals.
Sánchez's deportation occurred around the time two other mothers were deported to Honduras with their U.S. citizen children, including one with stage 4 cancer. In those two cases, attorneys have said the mothers wanted their children to stay in the U.S. but were not allowed to make the arrangements.
In the case of Sánchez, she said everything happened very fast. 'They never gave me the option to take my daughter,' said Sánchez. Her attorneys said the same.
ICE did not respond to a request for comment on the case, but the administration has said in previous comments that deported parents have been given the choice to take their children or not.
Sánchez said her daughter starting having seizures three months ago and is seeing a neurologist in the Tampa area. Her daughter's bedtime routine consisted of breastfeeding, lullabies and then sleeping together in bed.
Now her daughter just cries, Sánchez and her husband, Carlos Valle, said in separate interviews. Valle, who's a naturalized U.S. citizen, remains in Tampa with their child.
Sánchez was scheduled to check in at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Tampa on April 30, but her appointment was bumped up, her Miami-based attorney, Claudia Cañizares, said.
Sánchez went to the appointment with her daughter and Cañizares' associate in Tampa, while Valle, Sanchez's husband, waited outside because he was not allowed in the room.
At the appointment Sánchez was informed she was being detained and she needed to arrange for someone to pick up her child. According to Sánchez and the attorneys, Sánchez started crying, saying she couldn't leave her baby. The officers told her the child could visit her in Cuba.
The child was handed to the attorney who was in the room and she carried her outside to her father. According to the attorneys, the officers didn't let Sánchez say goodbye to her husband or give the baby to him. When Valle asked if he could say goodbye, they told him no and said he had to leave.
Valle said he does his best to console his daughter. He has reached out to members of Congress seeking help to bring Sánchez home.
Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla. sent a letter to Trump, which was shared with NBC News, asking for the return of Sánchez to the U.S.
Valle will meet with Castor's office on Friday.
The office of Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., responded with a letter, viewed by NBC News, which stated that 'our office is unable to assist you in this legal matter' and suggested Valle speak with a private attorney.
Cañizares said she was given the 'run-around' when she found out Sánchez had been detained on Tuesday and was working to file a stay of removal on humanitarian grounds so she wouldn't be deported.
'It's very taxing and very overwhelming,' Cañizares said, adding she couldn't contact Sánchez or confirm her exact whereabouts. She said when her firm went to file documents on Thursday she was told Sánchez had already been removed from the country, though she thinks she was still there and deported later.
'It's very scary because we have rule of law, and as an attorney I have to abide by those rules,' said Cañizares. 'But if the government is not abiding by those rules, then what can I do?
Sánchez applied for U.S. asylum in 2019 during Trump's first administration. Under his 'Migrant Protection Protocols,' asylum-seekers had to wait in Mexico for their hearings in U.S. immigration court.
Sánchez said she missed her scheduled hearing in the U.S. because at the time she was required to wait in Nuevo León, Mexico, where she said it was too dangerous to cross the international bridge at 4 a.m. Because of her missed hearing, she was ordered deported in absentia. But she later went to the port of entry and was allowed into the U.S.; she was placed in detention for nine months and later released under ICE supervision with regular check-ins.
Sánchez's husband is a naturalized U.S. citizen who is also from Cuba. He was in the process of trying to get Sánchez a green card.
Cañizares is considering requesting humanitarian parole for Sánchez, though she acknowledged it's 'going to be a stretch,' because she has an order of removal that's already been executed. Other processes being considered are complex and could take years.
'The only thing we are asking for is to be reunited once again,' said Sánchez. 'We're not asking for money. We're not asking for food ... our daughter is suffering. She is the most affected one and that scares us. We hope this message reaches the pertinent people.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
ICE enforcement in LA triggers alarm among school communities
"We are a melting pot of beautiful, incredible people," Enriquez said to the crowd before wiping a tear from his eye. "This incredible community, all of these students, all of these parents, guardians, friends and family, it is because of you that these young people are here ready to go on to that next step - to that high school life, to represent each of us as an incredible member of society." Some families too afraid to attend the graduation out of fear of increased presence of immigration enforcement officials across the city didn't hear the principal's message. They and many other Angeleno immigrants who live in the sanctuary city are foregoing the chance to witness their young loved ones receive diplomas or advance to the next grade at upcoming school graduation ceremonies out of fear of getting deported. "I've spoken with parents who've told me that their daughter would be the first in their family to graduate high school and they're not going to be there to witness it, because they have a fear of the place of graduation being targeted," said Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, which covers the majority of the city and some surrounding areas of Los Angeles and serves more than a half of a million public school students, during a June 9 news conference. More than one-third of Angelenos are immigrants. ICE detained a Los Angeles fourth grader from Torrance Elementary School and his father in Texas on May 29. They are expected to be deported to Honduras. The young child's deportation has left a wound. "When something like this happens, it shakes all of us in the community," Torrance Elementary PTA volunteer Ria Villanueva told The Los Angeles Times. Homeland security agents attemped to enter two Los Angeles schools in early April, but they were denied entry. Arrests of young people by Immigration and Customs Enforcement are happening nationwide in other targeted American communities, such as Milford, Massachusetts, where an 11th grader's arrest and detention by ICE has heightened anxiety among the area's immigrants, and in New York City, where educations officials say ICE have recently arrested and detained two students. "President Trump is keeping his promise to deport illegal aliens and the law enforcement officers conducting operations do so efficiently and professionally," said Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, in response to a question from USA TODAY about the Trump administration's enforcement on immigration at and around schools. "Individuals, like the violent rioters in LA, who try to obstruct or deter operations put law enforcement officers and law abiding citizens at risk." The Trump administration's increased immigration enforcement and related protests around LA Unified schools over the last several weeks have put parents, students and school officials on especially high alert. After law enforcement officers deployed flash-bang grenades against protesters near a Los Angeles Unified elementary school campus, the school community went into lockdown on June 6. The tensions have left the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest district in the nation, at the center of the national battle on immigration deportations and family separations. Ahead of future graduation ceremonies in the district, Carvalho said he said he has directed Los Angeles Unified school police to stand at the front lines and "intervene and interfere with any federal agency who may want to take action during these joyous times that we call graduation." What's happening around Los Angeles Unified schools? The Los Angeles families' anxieties come after a series of Trump administration-led anti-immigrant actions in the city, making it a national battleground for President Donald Trump's long-promised crackdown on illegal immigration. President Donald Trump and his administration have deployed thousands of National Guard members to the nation's second-largest city since June 8. The National Guard entered Los Angeles after citizens who were angry about immigration raids in the city, including one at a Home Depot, launched largely peaceful demonstrations against the administration's enforcement of illegal immigration. How did the LA protests begin? A look at the immigration raids that sparked outrage Chaos and violence have since erupted across Los Angeles, resulting in the detainment of some immigrants, destruction of city property and fear and hiding among immigrant families and children of immigrants who attend school across the region. 'President Trump is keeping his promise' California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vehemently objected against the immigration raids and deployment of federal guards, even filing a lawsuit against Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth alleging they deployed "members of the California National Guard, without lawful authority, and in violation of the Constitution." "Instead of focusing on undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records and people with final deportation orders - a strategy both parties have long supported - this administration is pushing mass deportations - indiscriminately targeting hardworking, immigrant families regardless of their roots or risk, " Newsom, a Democrat, said in a video posted on Instagram. There's no sign that the immigration raids will end. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on X on June 9 that they will deploy about 700 active duty U.S. Marines to Los Angeles "to restore order." Trump has also threatened to arrest Newsom for challenging the federal government. 700 Marines Heading to LA; Newsom calls move 'deranged fantasy' of Trump Federal immigration activity near school campuses threatens a 'fundamental right' A third-grade elementary school teacher in the district, who asked to remain anonymous because she is worried that her school and her students will be targeted by immigration enforcement officials if she is identified, said she has felt deep fear and constant anxiety in her students about them or their families being detained by ICE officials. She said many kids in her classroom whose parents are undocumented immigrants, some of whom are newcomers from Guatemala, are worried about being deported or separated from their families. Their fears have intensified since immigration raids have occurred close to the school. Attendance was unusually low and many school bus stops were eerily quiet during the last two days of school in her classroom on June 9 and 10, she said. "I try to pretend everything's normal when everything's falling apart outside of the school," she said. Her six-year-old son, who attends the same school where she teaches, found about about the immigration raids through friends and told her, "Mom, I'm glad you have papers so they can't take you." Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Carvlaho said in a statement on June 6 that he is "dismayed" by the recent immigration enforcement activity occurring near district schools. "These actions are causing unnecessary fear, confusion, and trauma for our students and families - many of whom are simply trying to get to and from school and work, and to live with dignity," Carvalho said. The presence of federal immigration activity near school campuses threatens prevents schools from being a "safe haven" where students "can learn, grow, and thrive without fear of being separated from their loved ones," he said. California State Superintendent of Education Tony Thurmond called Trump's military deployment and mass immigration raids "unnecessary," "a betrayal of our American values" and "an assault on all Californians" in a statement on June 9. Thurmond said about half of California kids have at least one immigrant parent. "Innocent children should never be in handcuffs, and families should never be torn apart by our government. Our children deserve to be protected and cared for, not terrified at school or ripped from their families," Thurmond said. "Let's be clear: When the President targets our immigrant families, he harms California's children." California State Superintendent: 'Deeply dangerous for our children' California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Thurmond have called on Trump to end the mass immigration raids and pull back National Guard troops from Los Angeles for the safety of Los Angeles families. "My message to President Trump is very clear: keep your hands off California's kids," Thurmond said on June 9. "The President's unchecked, unnecessary deployment of our nation's military to the city of Los Angeles is deeply dangerous for our children, for our families, and for our country." The officials' sentiments haven't calmed the widespread fear among many of the city's vast immigrant communities. Britt Vaughan, a spokesperson for Los Angeles Unified school district, said that parents and community members have been anxiously calleing into schools to report federal immigration activity in their communities. Enriquez, from Palms Middle School, told students and their families at the commencement ceremony to use the momentum of graduation as an opportunity to stand up to what he called "injustice" against their community. "Be empowered. Injustices exist in the world," he said. "Speak up. Stand up against any injustice anywhere." Contact Kayla Jimenez at kjimenez@ Follow her on X at @kaylajjimenez.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Protests over Trump's ICE raids continue spreading to other major cities
Protests that erupted in Los Angeles over President Donald Trump 's Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have continued to spread to other major cities. The LA protests erupted almost a week ago after federal ICE agents conducted search warrants at multiple locations. Protests against Trump's mass deportations of illegal immigrants have since popped up across the country in cities including New York, Austin, Chicago and Atlanta. The Independent has identified protests in at least 35 U.S. cities since Friday, with the majority occurring on Monday and Tuesday. The protests have been spread across 19 states, with most in California, Texas and Pennsylvania. There are also planned protests in cities including Eugene, Oregon and Raleigh, North Carolina, according to The Washington Post. While most of the protests in LA have been peaceful, police have made hundreds of arrests. More than 200 people were arrested Tuesday, the Post reported, citing authorities. The vast majority were detained for failing to disperse, but there were 17 others who were accused of violating the curfew that officials placed on the downtown area indefinitely. Arrests have also been made in other cities where demonstrations have continued for days. A total of 86 people in New York City were arrested Tuesday after about 200 protesters confronted the cops, abc7NY reported. Of the protesters who were arrested, 34 were charged with crimes including assault, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration. At least 13 protesters were arrested in Austin on Monday, KVUE reported. Police said the arrests were made 'in connection with unlawful activity.' Trump has deployed thousands of National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles. The unprecedented move sparked backlash from California officials, with Governor Gavin Newsom suing the Trump administration to stop the order. Texas Governor Greg Abbott deployed the National Guard in his state 'to ensure peace & order,' he wrote on an X post Wednesday. 'Peaceful protest is legal. Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest. @TexasGuard will use every tool & strategy to help law enforcement maintain order,' Abbott said.
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Newshour Hundreds arrested amid unrest in Los Angeles
As protests against raids targeting illegal immigrants continue in Los Angeles, we hear the latest from the city and speak to a former director of the US border agency ICE, Ronald Vitiello. Also in the programme: the role of rare earth minerals in an apparent warming of trade relations between the US and China; and reflections of former Palestinian foreign minister Nasser al-Kidwa on finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And memories of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys band, who has died at the age of eighty-two. (Photo: Members of California National Guard speak to a man outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, after days of protests against federal immigration sweeps in Los Angeles, 11 June 2025. Credit: REUTERS/David Ryder)
