ICE Raid Separates Chicago Newlyweds; She Self-Deports, He Remains Detained

In October, Alexa Ramírez, a 38-year-old woman, faced deportation back to Mexico just eight days after marrying her husband, Alexander Villeda. Villeda, 30, originally from El Salvador, is currently detained in an immigration facility in Battle Creek, Michigan. The couple was separated during Operation Midway Blitz, a widespread immigration enforcement campaign in Chicago.

Details of the Incident

The couple was arrested at a market in the Back of the Yards neighborhood while celebrating with Villeda’s family. Both Ramírez and Villeda have no prior criminal records. Ramírez was immediately taken to the Broadview immigration processing center, where she spent four days in detention before agreeing to self-deport.

Impact on Their Lives

• Location of Ramírez: She is now in her hometown, near Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Mexico.
• Daily Life: Ramírez works on her parents’ farm, taking care of livestock and supporting her family.
• Life in Detention for Villeda: He remains isolated in detention, fighting for his case and facing pressure to self-deport.

Ramírez’s life has transformed drastically. In Mexico, she feels pressure from potential community gossip about her deportation. Conversations with Villeda are limited and costly, leading to anxiety about their future.

Operation Midway Blitz

During the first weeks of Operation Midway Blitz, over 150 individuals chose to self-deport from the Broadview facility. This operation has targeted primarily Latino immigrants using aggressive tactics, with many reporting inhumane conditions in detention.

Government Response

• Claudia Sheinbaum: The Mexican President criticized the treatment of immigrants and noted the significant contributions of Latino workers to the U.S. economy.
• Data: A report indicated that Latinos contribute nearly $100 billion annually to the Chicago metropolitan GDP.

Personal Challenges and Stigma

Ramírez struggles with the stigma of deportation in her community. Many view deportees negatively, perceiving them as failures. Despite supportive family members, she finds readjusting to life in Mexico challenging.

In her hometown, Ramírez is trying to navigate the limited job opportunities and has sought assistance from government programs designed to support deportees, such as Mexico Te Abraza. However, accessing these services has been problematic.

Future Prospects

Meanwhile, Villeda remains hopeful for a bond release hearing scheduled for January. Ramírez is concerned about the possibility of him being deported to El Salvador, a country he fled to escape danger.

As she stands at her incomplete home that they started building together, Ramírez dreams of their future reunion. They had envisioned a life together in Chicago, building their family and business. Now, her focus is on reuniting and completing their life plans in Mexico.