Paula Callejas, a Montreal native, was attempting to increase her swimsuit enterprise in Florida after taking day without work to handle her ailing father in Canada earlier than his loss of life.
As a substitute of celebrating the style line, the Canadian was taken into United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention.
The 45-year-old’s household stated their funds are being stretched as they attempt to navigate the complicated and tough authorized and immigration methods in the US.
“She was very robust, very robust,” stated her mom Maria Estella Cano. “Now each, every single day she (cries), every single day and (says) she will be able to’t take it anymore.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has ramped up deportation efforts since his return to the White Home in January after efficiently campaigning on a promise to take drastic actions on unlawful immigration.
The immigration crackdown consists of controversial actions like concentrating on college students for protesting, in addition to sending folks to a infamous jail in El Salvador.
There was a rise in raids by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, referred to as ICE, at eating places and farms amid dramatic standoffs with protesters.
Whereas Trump’s group have stated they’re concentrating on criminals first, additionally they stated anybody within the nation illegally shall be deported.
Visa extension denied over ink color, household says
Callejas was born and raised in Montreal after her household immigrated from Colombia. She began her swimsuit line in Canada round 2012 and was gaining momentum however when her father turned unwell she paused her desires to assist take care of him.
Following her father’s 2020 loss of life, Callejas restarted her efforts to construct a swimsuit firm. Household stated she did just a few runway reveals in Florida over time and noticed that there was actual alternative for her trend line to develop within the state.
She even was invited to participate in Miami Swim Week final yr.
She purchased property in Florida, her mom stated, and lived a modest life whereas working to construct the model.
Household stated they believed she was in the US on a non-immigrant visa for folks with particular expertise that was set to run out in March. They stated she utilized for an extension in February, but it surely was denied for a technical purpose across the color of ink used to signal the doc.
WATCH | Canadians in ICE detention centres left in authorized limbo:
What we find out about Canadians in ICE detention
Households of Canadians detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) say they’re livid on the therapy of their family members and are combating for his or her launch. A number of Canadians are presently in detention centres, in response to International Affairs Canada.
Household stated Callejas reapplied, considering the problem was solved.
On March 28, Callejas was arrested for battery after household stated there was an altercation together with her then-boyfriend. Household say Callejas maintains her innocence within the scenario and stated she was defending herself.
After posting bail, her household stated Callejas was taken into ICE custody.
An ICE spokesperson stated Callejas entered the US on a non-immigrant customer visa and violated the phrases of her admission. ICE stated she’s going to “stay in custody pending completion of her immigration proceedings.”
Cano stated her daughter’s detainment has been a “nightmare” for the household.
“Each time I open my eyes, it’s not actual life,” Cano stated, holding again tears.
Household stated Callejas has been transferred to a minimum of three completely different services. Funds are being exhausted as they attempt to get authorized illustration. They stated it value US$5,000 only for one lawyer to submit paperwork.
As Callejas spends extra time in detention, her psychological well being can also be struggling, household stated.
Canos stated she desires her daughter to have the ability to have a good likelihood to defend herself in court docket. Her subsequent look for the legal cost is on Monday.
Cano stated when that’s resolved they need Callejas to depart the US on her personal accord in order that she will be able to end her visa software from Canada and proceed her desires of a swimwear line.
International Affairs Canada stated it couldn’t present details about explicit instances due to privateness considerations.
Round 55 Canadians in detention, ICE says
The division stated on June 27 it was conscious of about 55 Canadians detained by ICE. The variety of instances has remained comparatively steady in latest months, it stated, nevertheless it fluctuates as instances are resolved and new instances come up.
Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen, died in ICE custody in South Florida in June.
Noviello was being detained pending elimination from the U.S., officers stated. He entered the U.S. in 1988 on a authorized visa and have become a lawful everlasting resident in 1991. He was convicted of drug trafficking and different expenses in 2023 and sentenced to a yr in jail, officers stated.
Noviello was picked up by ICE brokers at his probation workplace final month and charged with removability due to his drug conviction, authorities stated.
International Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated on social media on the time that “Canadian consular officers are urgently searching for extra data from U.S. officers.”
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