Photo: Mason Trinca

By Angelina Gibson

After two decades living in the United States, Maria Sanchez, an Oncology Nurse and mother of four, has been deported back to Mexico.

A Family Torn Apart

For over 15 years Maria and her husband, Eusebio, had attempted to legalize their status within the US - but were unsuccessful. They illegally crossed the border 23 years ago with their infant daughter - who is now 23 and protected by DACA - she will remain in the US with the couple’s other two children. While their youngest son, a 12-year-old US citizen, will remain with them in Mexico.

Maria and Eusebio paid off their home last year in Oakland, CA - the children, 3 of whom are US citizens, will remain in the family home while their oldest daughter completes her final year at UC Santa Cruz.

"Hopefully, we can get a stay of deportation. One that we need for one year, so my daughter can graduate from UC Santa Cruz and we can be here for her," Maria said.

Government Support

Her case garnered national support not only from her family, co-workers, and hospital CEO but, also from Senator Dianne Feinstein. The Senator helped the couple win a one-day reprieve and plans to introduce a private bill in Congress next month to allow them to stay.

“Maria and Eusebio Sanchez have lived in this country for more than 20 years. They are hardworking parents raising four children, three citizens and one protected by DACA,” Feinstein said. “They have no criminal records. They pay taxes, own their home and contribute to this country. These are the kind of people we should welcome into the United States with open arms.”

ICE - US immigrations and customs enforcement - issued a statement stating, “the courts consistently held that neither of these individuals has a legal basis to remain in the U.S. while ICE continues to prioritize its enforcement resources to focus on individuals who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security, ICE will not exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement.”

Despite several attempts for a reprieve, the couple and their 12-year-old son were on a plane last Wednesday night to their hometown of Santa Monica in Hidalgo, Mexico. They will not be allowed to reenter the country for 10 years.