Posted on 03/20/2025 5:54:49 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
An Orange County couple who came to the U.S. without authorization some 35 years ago, raised three daughters and now have a new grandson were deported to Colombia earlier this week, according to media reports.
Nelson Gonzalez, 59, and his wife Gladys Gonzalez, 55, originally entered the states near San Ysidro before ultimately settling in Laguna Niguel and starting their family.
While the couple tried numerous legal avenues to remain in the country over the years, including appeals to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Board of Immigration Appeals, a spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told The Orange County Register that the Gonzalez’s had “exhausted all legal options to remain in the U.S. between March 2000 and August 2021,” and were ultimately in violation of immigration law.
Their three daughters, Gabby, 23, Jessica, 33, and Stephanie, 27, all U.S. citizens, told KTLA that they were devastated when they learned their parents had been detained on Feb. 21 during a regular check-in with U.S. immigration officials.
“They were put into handcuffs by their wrists and ankles and treated as criminals before getting to these detention centers,” Stephanie Gonzalez told KTLA. “All they said is they extended their stay, even though every year they’ve had permission to be here and they’re law-abiding citizens who show up and are doing their duty to check in with immigration and say, ‘Hey I’m here. I’m not hiding or doing anything wrong.’ Then they just arrested them like that.”
Gladys and Nelson, neither of whom have a criminal record, were originally held at the Adelanto Detention Center in San Bernardino County before being transferred to a facility in Arizona and later Louisiana.
Stephanie told The Register that though her parents have been traumatized by everything that’s transpired, they are grateful to no longer be in detention centers and have made contact with family in Colombia who are helping them start a new life.
The two younger sisters, Gabby and Stephanie, are currently living with Jessica and her husband in Newport Beach, and all have plans to visit their parents within the coming weeks.
Family members also acknowledged they’re one of many who have been affected by President Donald Trump and his administration’s goal of ramping up arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants throughout the U.S.
“...came to the U.S. without authorization some 35 years ago...”
WOW... what I could DO, without paying taxes for the last 35 years!!!
Trust KTLA to create a sob story like these. We all know their role in the Rodney King affair.
No sympathy. Criminals are criminals.
They didn’t pay any taxes for 35 years?
Roses are red
Dahlias are black
I’m sorry Gonzalez
You’ve got to go back
They had 35 years living in the shadows. Now they are free to live their best life somewhere else and make that country great.
Bye
In the court system for 25 years before they were deported. Utterly ridiculous.
Actions have consequences.
How did they pay payroll or income tax without a social security number?
What did they fill out on their I-9 form if they had “jobs”?
Man who came to the U.S. without authorization some 35 years ago, sexually assaulted three women and now one is pregnant finally is going to prison. Gee Libs this is just so sad, man breaking the law finally has to pay the price….
they paid on someone else’s account, the one whose number they illegally used.
This is the best they got? LOL....
If you came here 35 years ago, and didn’t bother taking the steps to become an American citizen, then you didn’t come here to “better yourself.”
Winning!
Voter affiliation???
Who’s eligible for an ITIN
If you’re a resident alien, nonresident alien or their spouse or dependent, you can apply for an ITIN regardless of immigration status.
Ok.
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