In a heart-wrenching tale underscoring the complexities of immigration policy, Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez were recently deported to Colombia after living in the United States for nearly four decades. The couple, who had diligently checked in with immigration authorities since 2000, found themselves in an unexpected and challenging situation during their latest court appointment.
Having first arrived in the U.S. in 1989, Gladys and Nelson sought asylum to escape escalating violence in Bogota, Colombia. With a commitment to community service that included leading Bible studies and volunteering at food pantries during the Covid-19 pandemic, they raised three daughters, all born and raised in California. However, their hopes for a stable life in the U.S. were shattered on February 21, 2023, when they faced detention and subsequent deportation.
Monica Crooms, an immigration attorney representing the Gonzalezes, voiced her concerns about the couple’s treatment, exacerbated by recent changes in immigration policy under the Trump administration. “This is not an isolated incident. It’s a scenario that is unfolding nationwide,” Crooms stated, drawing attention to the plight of many families caught in similar predicaments as a result of stricter enforcement of immigration laws.
According to Crooms, Gladys and Nelson had continually searched for a viable path to legal residency for over two decades. Despite their efforts, they fell victim to misguided legal advice and various barriers that complicated their residency claims. Their situation serves as a cautionary tale about the systemic issues present within the immigration system, particularly for those seeking asylum or legal recourse.
The couple was previously granted permission to apply for asylum but were later deemed to have no legal basis to stay in the U.S. Their plight resonates deeply in a time when immigration policies are scrutinized and enforcement actions are increasingly aggressive.
The Gonzalezes’ story sheds light on the human cost of immigration law enforcement under Trump’s regime, which has impacted countless families. The couple’s daughters have worked tirelessly to gather funds to help their parents resettle in Colombia, whereby they aim to eventually challenge their deportation and find a path back to the United States.
The irony is palpable as the Gonzalez family reflects on their years of hard work and integration into American life, only to be treated as criminals. The increasing deportations of long-time residents are stirring conversations about moral obligations and the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform.