A Texas mother of three has reached out to President Donald Trump following the detainment of her undocumented husband by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has now placed him at risk of deportation.
She is in a constant battle to keep her family intact as the president’s aggressive immigration policies escalate and put their children in a difficult position.
Ashley, her husband Jose, and their three children were in a car when they got pulled over by the police in a residential area in Texas three weeks ago. The officers realized that Jose was driving without a license, and they immediately informed ICE agents, which resulted in his detention.
“I know how they are saying a U.S. citizen should not fall in love with someone who is illegal. I get that,” Ashley told Newsweek. “In my eyes, he is a human being just like me. He is a person.”
According to the family’s attorneys, Jose, who has no criminal record and is married to a U.S. citizen, should be eligible for a Green Card. However, due to a sluggish immigration system that has failed to provide him with proper documentation, he is now at risk of deportation.
“The family has been traumatized,” attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch told reporters on a press call.
During his successful presidential campaign, Trump placed significant emphasis on immigration. Polls have consistently indicated that there is broad support for immigration reform, although opinions differ on the specific approach to policies like deportations.
Since January 20, when Trump returned to the White House, immigrant communities have been feeling anxious about the possibility of enforcement officers targeting them. This anxiety persists, despite the administration’s assurance that the focus is primarily on individuals who have committed serious or violent crimes.
After ICE agents detained Jose, reportedly slamming him against a window, Ashley found herself in tears on the side of the road with their children. The family had been left with only two diapers and no formula, and the situation was overwhelming for Ashley, especially considering they had a 6-month-old baby and a 1-year-old to care for.
“My 4-year-old understands that his dad only has a passport,” she said. “He understands that. He knows what immigration is, and every single time there’s a knock at the door, he’s coming to my room, whispering, saying: ‘Shh, mommy, immigration’s here.'”
After spending a few hours in custody, Jose has been released, but he still has to go through court hearings and may face deportation from the U.S. This situation has prompted Ashley to contemplate a significant decision – if her husband is deported, she is considering leaving the U.S. as well.
“I cannot keep my children away from their father,” she said on a press call Thursday. “He is the love of my life.”
Ashley stated that ICE has not reached out to her following her husband’s arrest. There are still uncertainties regarding when the family should attend court for a hearing.
Since January 20, the Department of Homeland Security has proudly announced over 8,000 arrests of individuals who entered the country illegally. In addition, approximately 5,000 individuals have been deported or removed from the country during this period.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to reveal that the individuals who were arrested had previous criminal records. She highlighted that the group included convicted murderers, rapists, child abusers, drug traffickers, MS-13 gang members, and cartel members.
“Under President Trump, America is no longer a safe haven for violent criminals,” Noem added.
Migrant advocacy groups have raised concerns about the potential inclusion of individuals like Jose, who lack legal status but have no criminal record, in the deportation process. They fear that as officials strive to meet the president’s target of removing over 11 million undocumented immigrants, others who pose no threat may also be affected.
Ashley DeAzevedo, the executive director of American Families United, expressed concern over the detrimental effects of deportation policies on families with mixed immigration statuses.
“American families are living in a constant state of fear, not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because they chose to love someone from another country,” she said. “The United States has long prided itself on family values, on freedom, and on justice.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, has made it abundantly clear that he fully supports Trump’s immigration policies. In fact, he has recently taken steps to grant the Texas National Guard additional authority to enforce immigration laws. This decision has received strong backing from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“As the top law enforcement official in Texas, I call on all agencies and departments to join me in the fight. We will enforce the law and protect America,” Paxton said in a statement.
As Jose and his family patiently await the immigration court system to fulfill its responsibilities, Ashley appeals to the president to reconsider his policies due to the profound effects they have on families like hers.
“Donald Trump is doing it the wrong way,” she said. “He should not be doing [it] the way he’s doing, you know, he should be getting the ones who are here and who are committing crimes, like murdering people.”
Ashley is urging the president to grant the right to work for law-abiding undocumented immigrants, as long as they have not committed any serious crimes.
“He shouldn’t be getting the ones who are here, making a life for their children…just being here to just work and live life better,” she said.
What Rights Do Immigrants Have?
This Article Includes
Immigrant rights organizations all over the United States have been organizing workshops to educate immigrants about their legal rights and empower them to protect themselves in interactions with immigration enforcement. These workshops serve as an invaluable resource, offering crucial information on how to respond if approached by ICE.
Immigrants have certain rights when interacting with authorities, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
Individuals have the right to stay silent by stating, “I choose to remain silent.” Even though Texas law mandates that individuals who are arrested or detained must disclose their name, date of birth, and address, they are not obligated to respond to any other inquiries.
In addition, immigrants possess the right to decline an officer’s request to enter their residence unless they are presented with a valid search or arrest warrant issued by a state or federal judge, rather than an immigration court judge.
Individuals are also entitled to retain legal counsel to advocate for them in legal affairs.
Immigrants who are in the process of being removed from a country have the right to ask for an interpreter. This is to make sure that they fully understand the proceedings and can actively participate in their defense.
How Many Immigrants Live In Texas?
According to the Pew Research Center, Texas is home to 1.6 million undocumented immigrants.
According to the American Immigration Council, approximately 17.2 percent of the population in Texas consists of foreign-born individuals. Additionally, 12.0 percent of residents born in the United States have at least one parent who is an immigrant.
Immigrants are integral to the state’s economy, making up 21.4 percent of the labor force. They also contribute significantly to various sectors, with 29.4 percent being entrepreneurs, 28.4 percent working as STEM professionals, and 20.3 percent serving as nurses.
