A Houston woman's fight to reunite with her sister who was deported despite having no criminal record or completed asylum case is shedding light on the dark side of US immigration policies.
According to Cinthia Arevalo, a US citizen and guardian of 19-year-old Estafany Gonzalez, her life has been torn apart after being deported to Honduras just a week ago. Despite having no criminal record and pending asylum case, Gonzalez was detained and flown out without warning or explanation.
Gonzalez, a senior at YES Prep Brays Oaks Secondary in southwest Houston, had her college acceptance letters and scholarship offers seized by immigration authorities. Her family is now left with the daunting task of trying to secure her release.
New statistics from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement reveal that most people currently being detained have no criminal convictions, leaving many wondering if it's possible for innocent individuals like Gonzalez to be swept up in the system.
Immigration courts usually find asylum seekers are protected by their asylum status, with records showing two-thirds of all deportation cases between 2014 and 2024 allowing asylum seekers to remain in the country. However, Gonzalez's case is a stark reminder that even when procedures appear to have been followed, individuals can still fall victim to arbitrary deportations.
Gonzalez's family is now exploring legal options but are feeling increasingly hopeless about their chances of getting her back. As they speak out against what they see as unjust treatment, they're joining an ever-growing list of voices calling for immigration reform and protection of those who are already in the system.
According to Cinthia Arevalo, a US citizen and guardian of 19-year-old Estafany Gonzalez, her life has been torn apart after being deported to Honduras just a week ago. Despite having no criminal record and pending asylum case, Gonzalez was detained and flown out without warning or explanation.
Gonzalez, a senior at YES Prep Brays Oaks Secondary in southwest Houston, had her college acceptance letters and scholarship offers seized by immigration authorities. Her family is now left with the daunting task of trying to secure her release.
New statistics from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement reveal that most people currently being detained have no criminal convictions, leaving many wondering if it's possible for innocent individuals like Gonzalez to be swept up in the system.
Immigration courts usually find asylum seekers are protected by their asylum status, with records showing two-thirds of all deportation cases between 2014 and 2024 allowing asylum seekers to remain in the country. However, Gonzalez's case is a stark reminder that even when procedures appear to have been followed, individuals can still fall victim to arbitrary deportations.
Gonzalez's family is now exploring legal options but are feeling increasingly hopeless about their chances of getting her back. As they speak out against what they see as unjust treatment, they're joining an ever-growing list of voices calling for immigration reform and protection of those who are already in the system.
. I mean, a 19-yr-old girl with no record gets deported just because her family can't secure her release? It's like they're more worried about procedure than actual human lives. And to think she had college acceptance letters and scholarship offers seized by the authorities? that's just cruel 
. The fact that most people in detention don't have a criminal conviction is just a drop in the bucket when you consider how many innocent people are getting swept up in this system. Can't we just have some basic human compassion for these folks? It's not like they're asking for much, just to be allowed to stay and pursue their dreams without being torn apart from their loved ones 
.
Oh my goodness, this is just heartbreaking! 
. I mean, 2/3 of asylum seekers get to stay in the country?! That doesn't sound right 
. And what about those who don't have a record but are still deported? It's like, hello! Human rights exist too, you know? 
We need to stand with Estafany and her family and demand change 
. Can we start a petition or something? 
it's crazy to think that 2/3 of people who go through deportation cases are allowed to stay... but what about those who aren't so lucky? 
and it's not just Estafany's case, there are tons of stories like hers out there, where innocent ppl are getting swept up in the system. 
we need some real change, ASAP! 
... I mean, I knew it was a nightmare to get asylum or be a citizen, but to be deported like that? It's just cruel. I don't get why they have to do it like that, no warning at all... 
. I feel so bad for Estafany and her family, they're just trying to live their lives and this is what happens. It's like, can't we just treat people with some basic human decency instead of treating them like a number? 
ICE needs to get its act together, 2/3 of deportation cases involving asylum seekers let them stay, so why's Gonzalez being deported? 
, another innocent person tossed to the side like a used tissue by the US immigration system...estafany's story is heartbreaking, but what really gets me is that her family can't even get any answers from the authorities, no warning, no explanation, just "bye Felicia" 
I'm not surprised that US immigration policies are being scrutinized, but this is just crazy! 
. I mean, I know our immigration laws are complex and all that, but it's times like these that make you wonder if we're treatin' people right or not 
.
It's crazy to me how many ppl have nothin' but a clean record and are still gettin' deported. We need some serious reform, like, ASAP 
.
. But Estafany's family ain't givin' up, and neither should we 
.
. I'm totally following this story and hoping for the best for Estafany! Fingers crossed she gets released soon 
thinking about Cinthia's situation - her daughter was just a senior in high school and now she's been torn away from everything she knows and loves, just because of some messed up policy 
.
. It's disheartening to note that despite having no criminal record and an ongoing asylum case, she was arbitrarily detained and deported without warning or explanation 
. The fact that two-thirds of deportation cases result in asylum seekers being allowed to remain in the country is a glimmer of hope, but it's not enough to assuage the sense of injustice felt by Gonzalez's family 
And her family is still dealing with the aftermath, trying to figure out how to get her back... it's just so sad. 
. The system needs a serious overhaul - it can't be right that innocent people like Estafany are being treated this way 
. Like, I get it, they're hungry or whatever, but can't they just find their own bread or something? And then I started thinking about how some of those birds have like, crazy migrations patterns going on... flying all the way from Canada to Mexico for who knows why 
. Anyway, back to this immigration stuff... it's wild that these people are getting detained just because they're trying to find a better life for themselves. I mean, what even is asylum again?
. I'm definitely with her family on this one, they need some serious help and support to get Estafany back 
and some actual reform before someone else gets swept up in the system...