A Cuban woman residing in Florida with her 17-month-old daughter and American husband has been deported back to Cuba.
She received a call from Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) for an appointment in late April and was moved the next day.
When she arrived with her family and lawyer, ICE agents took her into custody, believing it was just a routine check-in. They instructed her to hand her daughter over to her lawyer and then deported her to Cuba, according to reports.
Heidi Sanchez expressed, “They never gave me the option to take my daughter.” She recounted that the agent said something like, “Come on, your father will get her. You’re here.”
Sanchez’s husband, Carlos Valle, wasn’t allowed to accompany them into the room where the ICE agents were present. When her deportation was announced, she wasn’t permitted to see her husband or hand their daughter to him; her lawyer had to take responsibility, as per reports.
“Today, I met Carlos Valle. Their story is deeply upsetting and infuriating. The Trump administration is tearing families apart for political reasons. We are still waiting on a response from the White House regarding the legality of these actions,” she remarked.
Today I met Mr. Carlos, Mr. Sanchez.
Their stories are not only upsetting, they are also infuriating. The Trump administration is torn apart families for a political game.
We are pursuing every step of our way to reunite this family, but unfortunately we are waiting for a response from… pic.twitter.com/wcpqv3d9jf
– US Congressman Cathy Caster (@usrepkcastor) May 2, 2025
Sanchez entered the U.S. in 2019 from Mexico, when the Trump administration’s “Remain in Mexico” policy forced asylum seekers to wait across the border for their immigration hearings. After fearing for her safety due to threats from Mexican cartels targeting Cuban immigrants, she crossed the border and communicated to U.S. authorities that her life was in danger, which allowed her to stay.
After nine months in detention, she was released to live with her family in Tampa, Florida. Her lawyer attempted to halt the deportation process but faced significant challenges with the immigration authorities.
According to reports, Valle noted that his wife is currently struggling with WiFi access in Cuba and that their daughter is continuously crying and seeking her mother.
Ms. Sanchez was informed that a child who is still breastfeeding and has health concerns should remain in the U.S. but must visit her in Cuba instead, as reported.
