Cindy, He had everything ready to celebrate his 16th birthday, when hours before the party, His parents were arrested by Immigration Service agents and Customs Enforcement Assist (ICE), and the celebration planned a year in advance was unexpectedly suspended.
The arrest of Cindy’s parents took place in Austin last Saturday, May 2the same date that he had his birthday party ready, which with many hopes and support from his familyshe had organized, but that day the moments of happiness turned into a nightmare for her and her family.
According to information provided by the family, Cesar Cortez and Cindy Landeroparents of the birthday girl, were arrested by immigration agents, while the teenager who shares the name with her mother was returning home after doing her hair and makeup for her celebration.
Teenager was handcuffed during the immigration operation
Cindy reported that she witnessed her parents’ arrest and tried to approach her mother during the procedure, at which time she was handcuffed by the officers.
In a fundraising campaign in GoFundMethe young woman wrote: “They had no right; just before my big day they took away the most important people to me.”
Also She assured that she was handcuffed “just for trying to reach” to his mother and that the officers “were aggressive.”
Parents detained in separate centers and health status
After the arrest, both parents were transferred to different detention centers, which has made family communication and monitoring of their immigration situation.
The family expressed concern for the health of the father, who suffers from prediabetes and high blood pressureand noted that he would not have access to his medications during his detention.
From a detention center, The mother described that she lived the moment with “panic,” seeing how the operation was carried out just before the celebration they had prepared for a year.
16-year-old’s party was suspended after arrest
Cindy had planned a themed celebration “like a princess party”, with a big dress, all-pink decoration and a special cake to share with her family.
After what happened, The teenager decided to postpone her 16th birthday party, although it maintains the intention of carrying it out at a later date.
Older sister took care of five minors
After the arrest, the eldest daughter of the familyJamie, 22 years oldleft his university activities in dallas and returned to austin for take care of his five younger sisters.
In interview with Telemundoexplained that she made the decision because now it is “all the girls have” while their parents remain in immigration custody.
An immigration lawyer consulted by the media described the case as “unusual” and noted that it is not common for both parents to be arrested, leaving five minors without their care.
GoFundMe campaign for moral support and basic expenses
The family opened a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to cover legal expenses and basic needs derived from the case.
Cindy explained that the campaign also seeks to recover the money that her parents had raised for the party and support the moral process for her possible family reunification.
So far, the drive has raised $14,375 of a goal of $15,000, with 441 donors.
Cindy/GoFundMe
Diffusion on networks and change of plans
Images of the room decorated for the celebration, with a pink theme and everything prepared for the event, circulated on social networks.
Finally, after the arrest, the family held a small gathering in a park instead of the originally planned party.
Legend follows:
- Parents detained by ICE in Arizona struggle to say goodbye to their son with terminal cancer
- ICE releases man who spent five months in its custody, went to an appointment for his permanent residence
- Republicans want to approve $72 billion more for ICE and CBP without a Democratic vote
- Protests break out after the detention of a man by ICE at a New York scientific institution
