The three daughters of a Colombian couple who have lived in the United States for 35 years are speaking out on their parents' deportation and want them back with them.
The couple was identified as Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez, who have been in the country since 1989 and were able to raise three kids, all born in California. In a GoFundMe page, one of the daughters, Stephanie Gonzalez, talked about the matter at hand.
Colombian Couple Deported From the U.S.
Stephanie said that for nearly four decades, her parents built a life in the U.S., raised their kids, gave back to the community, and recently welcomed their first grandchild. However, she said that the couple was now being treated like criminals.
The parents checked in at an immigration court in Santa Ana last month, which is something they have been doing since 2000. However, the most recent check-in ended with the couple having a much different result than they expected, according to CNN.
During their Feb. 21, 2025, appointment, the couple was arrested, handcuffed, and later put in federal custody. There, they spent the next three weeks waiting for the time that they would be deported back to Colombia.
Monica Crooms, an Orange County-based immigration attorney, said that the couple did expect they would be forced to depart and were already planning to do so. However, what they did not plan on was how they would be forced to leave the U.S.
In an interview, Crooms said that the parents did not expect they would suddenly be arrested and taken into federal custody. What makes things worse is that their case is no longer unique following President Donald Trump's taking office.
Looking for a Path Towards Citizenship
The couple's arrest and deportation come as in the U.S., staying in the country without authorization is a civil infraction and not a crime. On the other hand, crossing the border without authorization is a criminal misdemeanor, the Independent reported.
The daughters said that their parents' sudden arrest and deportation had left them in shock, and they called the situation cruel and unjust. A spokesperson for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the details of the latest case, adding that the couple who were deported did not have any criminal history.
Crooms, who has been working with the Colombian couple for years now, said they were looking for a viable path to citizenship and made sure to pay their taxes. She noted that the parents were trying to legalize their status in whatever way they were able to during the 1990s, as per India Today.
