INDIANAPOLIS – A undocumented man who had been living in the U.S. since 2014 was detained for deportation last week despite following immigration orders.
Rosa Rosales said her husband Juan Hernandez was told as long as he checked in with the Indianapolis Immigration Office once a year, he would be OK to stay in the country.
Last Tuesday, Hernandez checked in at the office but was detained instead.
“They arrested him in front of everyone. In front of the baby crying for him to hold him,” said Rosales.
Rosales said her husband has been at odds with immigration since 2010.
While crossing the border in Texas he was stopped and was told he could not enter the U.S. for another five years. In 2013, he married Rosales in Indy and in 2014, a traffic stop brought him to the attention of immigration, which allowed him to stay in the U.S. as long as he checked in annually.
Rosales said since the incident, she has been working to balance caring for their child and operating her husband’s roofing business. The couple is also expecting another child soon.
“It just hurts,” she said. “I don't know how someone can do something because they want provide for their family."
On July 19, churches held a call-in urging immigration to reconsider their decision, but Hernandez could be deported to Mexico as early as Friday.
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