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In a gripping investigation by Austin Grabber, a Canadian citizen, Cynthia, finds herself in a dire situation after being arrested by ICE during her green card interview. After living in Southern California for over 25 years, having originally crossed the San Diego border, she now faces the possibility of deportation back to Canada, a fate she never expected.
Cynthia’s nightmare began on June 13, when she attended her green card interview in Chatsworth, only to be met with an unexpected arrest. Instead of receiving her green card, she was informed of her immediate deportation due to a removal order dating back to 1999. The situation has left her family distraught, particularly her husband Francisco, a U.S. citizen, who recently had to explain the harsh realities of her status to their three children.
Francisco recalls that years ago, they had discussed Cynthia’s immigration status with their kids, hoping to make her legal through the process they initiated. Cynthia has long kept the truth about her illegal residency a secret, having been brought to the U.S. by her parents when she was just a child. Her journey to the States has been one of striving for the American dream, working, paying taxes, and raising a family.
Now, as a result of the arrest, Francisco feels blindsided, especially as a supporter of President Trump’s strict immigration policies, which he initially believed would bring positive change. With no criminal charges against Cynthia, her husband argues that it is unreasonable for taxpayers to fund her detention when she could leave for Canada at her own expense. He expresses his willingness to pay for her flight, stating he will travel to Canada himself to ensure she is not burdened with the costs of detention, which ICE estimates at about $152 per day.
Despite the Canadian government’s acknowledgment of the situation, they claim they cannot intervene, leaving Cynthia’s fate uncertain. The investigation raises significant questions about immigration policies and the treatment of individuals in similar predicaments. Team 10 reached out to ICE for comments regarding Cynthia’s case, but received no response about her detention or the reasons blocking her from self-funding her departure. Austin Grabber’s report underscores the complexities and emotional toll of immigration enforcement amidst conflicting policies and personal circumstances.
