Dobson mother of 9 faces deportation, begs 'the system' to let her stay in U.S. to care for children

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WEBVTT WANDA: NEW AT 5:00, A WXII 12NEWS EXCLUSIVE.A DOBSON WOMAN MAY SOON FACE THEREALITY OF DEPORTATION.NICOLE: A MONTH AGO, IMMIGRATIONOFFICIALS TOLD HER SHE NEEDED TOLEAVE.THEY COULD HOLD HER IN CUSTODYAS EARLY AS TOMORROW.SHE SPOKE EXCLUSIVELY TO DAVONTEMCKENITHDAVONTE: PATRICIA PENA HAS LIVEDIN NORTH CAROLINA SINCE 1996.COME AUGUST 31, THAT COULD VERYWELL CHANGE.SHE MAY BE DEPORTED BACK TOMEXICO.>> I FEEL SAD.I FEEL -- UNFAIR.DAVONTE PATRICIA PENA MAY BESTRIPPED AWAY FROM HER SIXDAUGHTERS AND THREE SONS.>> I'M WORRIED FOR MY LITTLEONES, BECAUSE I KNOW I HAVEFAMILY, BUT WHO'S GOING TO TAKECARE OF MY KIDS?DAVONTE: SHE CAME TO THE U.S.FOR WORK AND FOR HER KIDS.SHE DIDN'T COME TO BE ACRIMINAL, DESPITE BEING CHARGEDWITH ILLEGAL REENTRY IN 2012.HER SISTER LAURA SAYS PATRICIAIS A BACKBONE FOR THE FAMILY.>> EVERY TIME WHEN SOMETHINGHAPPENS TO ME, I'M LOOKING FORMY SISTER.DAVONTE: PATRICIA SAYS SHE'SDONE EVERYTHING SHE NEEDS TO,BUT AT THIS YEAR'S CHECK-IN WITHIMMIGRATION OFFICIALS, SHE WASTOLD SHE NEEDS TO LEAVE.>> YOU CAN SEE HER EYES VERY,VERY BIG BECAUSE SHE'S CRYINGALL DAY.DAVONTE: PATRICIA'S EMOTIONS RUNSKY-HIGH, BUT NOT HIGHER THANTHE HOPE OF STAYING ON U.S.SOIL.>> I NEVER ASK NOBODY ELSE HELP.NOW I'M BEGGING.TO THIS SYSTEM, LET ME STAY FORMY KIDS.DAVONTE: PATRICIA TRAVELS TOCHARLOTTE THURSDAY, WHERE SHE

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A Dobson woman may soon have to face the reality of deportation. Nearly one month ago, immigration officials told her she needed to leave and they could hold her in custody as early as Thursday.Patricia Pena has lived in North Carolina since 1996. Come August 31, things could be different as she could be deported back to Mexico."I feel sad. I feel ... unfair," said Patricia.If deported, Patricia will be stripped away from her six daughters and three sons."I'm worried for my little ones," said Patricia. "I know I have family, but who is going to take care of my kids?"Patricia says she came to the United States for work and to provide a better life for her nine children, two of which need medical care. She adds she didn't come to be a criminal, despite being charged after an illegal re-entry in 2012. Her sister, Laura Pena, says Patricia is a backbone for the family."Every time when something happens to me, I'm looking for my sister," said Laura. "It's painful to me because I know my sister is sad."What makes this even tougher for Patricia is that she recently lost her son in April to suicide. She says her family is still mourning from that tragedy, and now with the issue of possible deportation, things are even tougher. Patricia says she's done everything she needs to, but at this year's annual check-in with immigration officials, she was told she needs to leave."It's not fair because I know the system doesn't care what we are feeling," said Patricia.Patricia's emotions run sky high, after learning of her chances of being deported. However, they don't run higher than the hope of staying on U.S. soil."I never asked anyone for help. Now, I'm begging (for them to) let me stay for my kids," said Patricia.Laura hopes "the system" plays fair."You can see her eyes are very very big because she's crying all day," said Laura. "She needs to stay here. It's not for her, but for her children."Patricia's family and friends started a petition through the White House. It will need 100,000 signatures before it gets a response. To sign, click here.