A Donald Trump voter said she was “ashamed” to be an American after her daughter-in-law was deported following his administration’s crackdown on illegal immigrants.

Shirley Stegall's daughter Letty, crossed illegally from Mexico to the US in 1999 at the age of 21 and settled in Kansas City, Missouri. Starting out waiting tables, she eventually worked her way up to manage a bar.

She got married and had her daughter Jennifer, now 17, but later divorced. Then she fell in love with Shirley's son Steve. The pair were married and went on to buy a home together.

Jennifer Tadeo-Uscanga, 17, walks down a staircase lined with family photos at the Kansas City, Missouri (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Meanwhile back in Mexico, Letty's parents were forced to abandon their home and business as a drug cartel moved into the area around Cosamaloapan where she grew up.

As she set off to the gym one February morning, three cars containing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents leapt out and arrested her. Six years beforehand she had been charged misdemeanor drunken driving which had made authorities aware that she was in the US illegally. Stegall spent a month in jail and her case went into the immigration system.

Four days after her February arrest, Letty won a stay of deportation in court pending a hearing. But ICE already had her shackled aboard a flight to Brownsville, Texas, where she was directed to cross by foot back into Mexico. Her family, relieved by the victory in court, were unaware she was gone.She joined her family in Boca del Rio, a small city in the Gulf of Mexico.

The only regular she with her husband and 17-year-old daughter is online.

Jennifer Tadeo-Uscanga, 17, and her stepdad, Steve Stegall, stand outside their house in Kansas City, Missouri. Jennifer’s mother Letty Stegal lived in the United States for 20 years, but was deported back to Mexico in March. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Her situation has appalled her mother-in-law Shirley, who said she voted for Mr Trump because she liked his promise to bring jobs back to the US and the vow to make trade with China fairer.

She also supported him when he said criminal immigrants would be deported, althought they did not consider her daughter-in-law to be one, even if she came to the country illegally.

“I’ve always been proud to be an American,” Shirley said. “But now I’m ashamed.”

An estimated 8 million to 9 million Americans live with at least one relative who is in the country illegally and the thousands of deportations that have taken place under Mr Trump's presidency have affected citizens and those living in the country legally.

During his presidential election campaign Mr Trump vowed in 2016 to remove “bad hombres”, in what some voters interpreted to mean removals would be directed at gang members and seasoned criminals.

But arrests of migrants with minor convictions such as driving under the influence outnumber those of immigrants previously convicted for more egregious crimes.

National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Show all 105 1 /105 National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK epaselect epa06885526 Tens of thousands of people take part in a Stop Trump Coalition - Stop the War Protest against the US President Donal J. Trump visit in London, Britain, 13 July 2018. Trump is on a working visit to Britain. EPA/ANDY RAIN ANDY RAIN EPA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Demonstrators on the 'Stop Trump' march through London PA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Protesters in Trafalgar Square Getty National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Demonstrators gather in George Square, Glasgow, for the Scotland United Against Trump protest PA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK protest Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK 'Stop Trump' demonstrators march through London as part of the protests against the visit of US President Donald Trump to the UK. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday July 13, 2018. See PA story POLITICS Trump. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire Yui Mok PA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Trafalgar Square is filled with protesters against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump holding up placards as they take part in a march and rally in London on July 13, 2018. Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated in London on Friday against US President Donald Trump, whose four-day visit to Britain has been marred by his extraordinary attack on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit strategy. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK protest Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn walks through a demonstration against President Trump's visit to the UK on his way to make a speech in Trafalgar Square Getty Images National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK 'Stop Trump' demonstrators march through London as part of the protests against the visit of US President Donald Trump to the UK. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday July 13, 2018. See PA story POLITICS Trump. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire Yui Mok PA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Children were among thousands of people around the UK to protest against Donald Trump's visit Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK protest Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steve Parkins/REX (9761011x) Orange trump protester 'Bring The Noise March' Anti Donald Trump Protest, London, UK - 13 Jul 2018 Steve Parkins/REX Rex Features National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Drag queens take part in the Drag Against Trump protest in Piccadilly Circus EPA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Edward Miliband joins the march Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Charlotte Hodges National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Charlotte Hodges National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK epa06885659 A drag queen shouts anti-Trump chants and holds a placard 'Take me to A Trump free Planet!' at the Drag Against Trump protest in Piccadilly Circus in London, Britain, 13 July 2018. Participants joined other separate demonstrations in the capital city as thousands congregated together in protest against US President Trump visit and some of his controversial policies. Trump is on a working visit to Britain. EPA/RICK FINDLER RICK FINDLER EPA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK A drag queen joins protesters against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump AFP/Getty Images National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Protesters for the 'Stop Trump' AP National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK A drag queen joins protesters against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump as they gather to take part in a march and rally in London on July 13, 2018. US President Donald Trump launched an extraordinary attack on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit strategy, plunging the transatlantic "special relationship" to a new low as they prepared to meet Friday on the second day of his tumultuous trip to Britain. / AFP PHOTO / Niklas HALLENNIKLAS HALLEN/AFP/Getty Images NIKLAS HALLEN AFP/Getty Images National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK A drag queen joins protesters against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump as they gather to take part in a march and rally in London on July 13, 2018. US President Donald Trump launched an extraordinary attack on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit strategy, plunging the transatlantic "special relationship" to a new low as they prepared to meet Friday on the second day of his tumultuous trip to Britain. / AFP PHOTO / Niklas HALLENNIKLAS HALLEN/AFP/Getty Images NIKLAS HALLEN AFP/Getty Images National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Demonstrators protest against the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump, in central London, Britain, July 13, 2018. REUTERS/Simon Dawson SIMON DAWSON REUTERS National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK 'Stop Trump' demonstrators march through Oxford Circus in London, as part of the protests against the visit of US President Donald Trump to the UK. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday July 13, 2018. See PA story POLITICS Trump. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire Gareth Fuller PA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Protesters during the 'Stop Trump' Women's March in London, as part of protests against the visit of US President Donald Trump to the UK. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday July 13, 2018. See PA story POLITICS Trump. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire Yui Mok PA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK protest Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou

Immigration and Customs enforcement arrested 59,985 people for driving under the influence (DUI) in the year to September 2017, while only arresting 6,553 in 2017 for homicide, sexual assault or kidnapping collectively. Arrests of immigrants without criminal convictions have increased significantly since Mr Trump took office.

Letty's deportation means she could be barred from entering the US for a decade. She hopes paperwork that cites her marriage to a US citizen will be approved within two years, but the process can be protracted.

In the meantime, technology allows her to keep in contact with her husband and daughter.