US Deports Colombian Couple After 35 Years, Leaving Their Family Devastated

A Colombian couple who had been residing in California for 35 years faced sudden deportation following a routine immigration check. Despite complying with legal processes and attending every immigration appointment, officials detained them for over three weeks before sending them back to Colombia. Their three daughters, all born in the US, were devastated and called the deportation “cruel and unjust.”

Detained During a Standard Immigration Check

On February 21, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took the couple, both in their 50s, into custody during a routine check-in. For over 20 years, they had consistently reported to immigration authorities, believing they were following all necessary legal requirements. However, after nearly a month in detention, ICE deported them to Colombia on March 18.

Stephanie Gonzalez, one of their daughters, shared with CNN that her parents had attended every court hearing since 2000. The family set up a GoFundMe campaign, highlighting that their parents had no criminal background and had always obeyed US laws. They also asked for financial support since their parents were now in a country they had left decades ago with no place to live or source of income.

A Family-Oriented Life in the US

For almost four decades, the couple built a stable life in the US. They raised three daughters and recently celebrated the birth of their first grandchild. Their daughters described them as “kind, selfless people who have always put others before themselves.” The sudden separation shattered their family, leaving them emotionally distressed and financially strained.

In a statement, their daughters expressed their pain, saying, “Now, they are being treated as criminals, held in detention centers, and facing deportation. Every day they remain detained is another stolen from their family, community, and their home.”

Legal Struggles and Misleading Advice

ICE officials confirmed that the couple had no criminal record but stated that they had “exhausted all legal options” to stay in the country. Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez originally entered the US near San Ysidro, California, in 1989.

Nelson applied for asylum in 1992, but his case was closed in 1998 after he allegedly missed an interview. In 2000, an immigration court issued a voluntary departure order, giving them the option to leave the country without facing formal deportation. However, the couple remained, believing they could eventually obtain legal residency.

Monica Crooms, who has represented them since 2018, said the couple had been misled by dishonest legal advisors. She explained that their previous lawyer gave them false assurances about their ability to appeal and secure legal status. Over the years, they spent thousands of dollars on legal fees, often hiring individuals who were not even qualified immigration attorneys.

Despite numerous appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals (2001, 2018), Citizenship and Immigration Services (2010), and the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit (2021), they were unable to gain legal residency.

Unexpected Deportation Despite Previous Understandings

Crooms stated that while the couple knew they would eventually have to leave, they expected a more organized process. Until 2018, ICE had not pressured them to leave, but that year, an officer informed them that deportation was inevitable unless they obtained legal status.

In the past, many undocumented immigrants with no criminal record were allowed to stay in the US on humanitarian grounds. ICE did not confirm if the couple’s case was ever reconsidered or if they were granted any leniency.

Expanding Immigration Crackdown

The deportation of the Gonzalez couple highlights the Trump administration’s intensified immigration policies. Initially, authorities prioritized removing violent offenders. However, in recent years, enforcement broadened to include undocumented individuals without criminal records, asylum seekers, students, and even legal permanent residents.

Officials have also invoked a wartime-era legal provision to deport hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador without following standard legal procedures. Critics argue that these policies undermine due process and violate court orders.

The Gonzalez family’s ordeal reflects the increasing challenges faced by long-term undocumented immigrants. Their daughters continue to seek public support in hopes of reuniting with their parents and overturning the deportation decision. Meanwhile, immigration policy remains a deeply divisive issue in the United States.