Maria, a 41-year-old mother of three legal US citizens, faces a $1.8 million fine from ICE for overstaying in the country. She came to the United States from Honduras twenty years ago and entered California illegally in 2005. She remained in Miami-Dade despite the lack of documentation. She had her children here, and they are now teenagers.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, she is currently facing severe penalties. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) determined this amount by adding $500 for each consecutive day she has been in the country. The precise amount is $1,821,350, and she only has a month to pay it.
Maria gave an interview to CBS News Miami, crying on television about the tragic news. She is likewise in shock and has requested clemency. We can act on behalf of her US-citizen children. Deporting her would leave her children alone, with no one to care for them.
We asked her to appear for an immigration hearing, but she chose not to do so or return home. Instead, she decided to settle in the country. Many netizens have responded to her appeal. While some defend her, others question whether her lack of English proficiency warrants her deportation.
Those on her side and Trump supporters hold opposing views on the matter. The Latino community supports her because they understand how such events affect immigrant families. The law utilized to levy the charge is uncommon in the country; therefore, it remains to be seen how the fine and deportation will be resolved.
Maria has been concerned since receiving the letter from the ICE on May 9; she is unable to sleep and refuses to return. She expressed in her interview how difficult it would be to be apart from her children. According to the Independent, she has appealed for mercy so that she can stay with her children.
Maria’s attorney, Michelle C. Sanchez, is working to get her the justice she deserves. She has called the fine “absolutely nuts” because the government never advised her client of the ramifications. Maria is unsure how or when to comply with the penalty because the letter she received does not provide a date.
This will be one of her arguments in the court appeal. As her attorney, she understands that Maria’s deportation will negatively impact her three children. They will face great challenges as their mother returns to Honduras. The scenario doesn’t make sense because her children are US citizens and she is considered an illegal immigrant who might be deported.
No news outlet reported her expulsion. There have been various articles about the Trump administration’s assault on immigrants. Trump has promised to remove and deport illegal immigrants to free up resources in the United States. Since taking office in January, he has carried out the largest mass deportation in history.
