A Texas mother of three has sent a message to President Donald Trump after her undocumented husband was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and now faces deportation.
With their children caught in the middle, she's fighting to keep her family together as immigration crackdowns intensify under the president's mass deportation agenda.
Ashley was riding in a car with her husband Jose and their three children when they were pulled over by police in a residential area in Texas three weeks ago. Officers discovered that Jose was driving without a license and promptly notified ICE agents, leading to his detention.
"I know how they are saying a U.S. citizen should not fall in love with someone who is illegal. I get that," Ashley told Newsweek. "In my eyes, he is a human being just like me. He is a person."
Attorneys for the family told reporters Thursday that Jose, who has no criminal record, should be entitled to a Green Card, as he is married to a U.S. citizen, but instead he was facing deportation because of a slow immigration system that had left him without documentation.
"The family has been traumatized," attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch told reporters on a press call.
Trump made immigration a core component of his successful presidential campaign. Voters have shown in polls that there is widespread support for immigration reform overall but disagree about how policies such as deportations should be carried out.
Since January 20, when Trump returned to the White House, anxiety has been high among immigrant communities worried that enforcement officers are coming for them, despite the administration saying the focus is on those who have committed serious or violent crimes.
After ICE agents took Jose away, allegedly slamming him against a window in the process, Ashley was left in tears at the side of the road with their children, including a 6-month-old baby and a 1-year-old, with only two diapers and no formula.
"My 4-year-old understands that his dad only has a passport," she said. "He understands that. He knows what immigration is, and every single time there's a knock at the door, he's coming to my room, whispering, saying: 'Shh, mommy, immigration's here.'"
While Jose was released after a few hours, he faces court hearings and potential removal from the U.S. Now, Ashley is considering a drastic move—leaving the U.S. if her husband is deported.
"I cannot keep my children away from their father," she said on a press call Thursday. "He is the love of my life."
ICE has not communicated with Ashley after her husband's arrest, she said, and questions remain over when the family should appear in court for a hearing.
The Department of Homeland Security has touted upwards of 8,000 arrests of illegal immigrants since January 20, with about 5,000 people deported or removed from the country in that time.
Many of those arrested have known criminal histories, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posting to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday that "convicted murderers, rapists, child abusers, drug traffickers, MS-13 gang members, cartel members" were among those detained.
"Under President Trump, America is no longer a safe haven for violent criminals," Noem added.
Migrant advocacy groups have warned that others without legal status but no criminal history, like Jose, will be swept up in the process as officials try to reach the goal set by the president to deport upwards of 11 million illegal immigrants.
Ashley DeAzevedo, executive director of American Families United, criticized the impact of deportation policies on mixed-status families.
"American families are living in a constant state of fear, not because they've done anything wrong, but because they chose to love someone from another country," she said. "The United States has long prided itself on family values, on freedom, and on justice."
In Texas, Republican Governor Greg Abbott has been clear that he will support Trump's immigration policies and has granted the Texas National Guard more powers to carry out immigration enforcement in recent days. The move was backed by the state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
"As the top law enforcement official in Texas, I call on all agencies and departments to join me in the fight. We will enforce the law and protect America," Paxton said in a statement.
While Jose and his family wait for the immigration court system to do its job, Ashley is calling on the president to reconsider his policies because of the impact on families like hers.
"Donald Trump is doing it the wrong way," she said. "He should not be doing [it] the way he's doing, you know, he should be getting the ones who are here and who are committing crimes, like murdering people."
Ashley called on the president to allow law-abiding undocumented immigrants the right to work if they have not committed a serious crime.
"He shouldn't be getting the ones who are here, making a life for their children...just being here to just work and live life better," she said.
What Rights Do Immigrants Have?
Groups across the country have been hosting Know Your Rights workshops for immigrants to understand their legal options and how to protect themselves in encounters with immigration enforcement. The workshops provide critical information on what to do if approached by ICE.
Under the U.S. Constitution, immigrants have the following rights when dealing with authorities.
First, they have the right to remain silent by saying, "I wish to remain silent." While Texas law requires individuals who are arrested or detained to provide their name, date of birth and address, they are not obligated to answer any additional questions.
Additionally, immigrants have the right to refuse an officer entry to their home unless they have a valid search or arrest warrant issued by a state or federal judge (not an immigration court judge).
They also have the right to hire an attorney to represent them in legal matters.
Lastly, immigrants facing removal proceedings have the right to request an interpreter to ensure they understand the proceedings and can fully participate in their defense.
How Many Immigrants Live In Texas?
There are 1.6 million undocumented immigrants living in Texas, according to the Pew Research Center.
Roughly 17.2 percent of Texas residents are foreign-born, while 12.0 percent of U.S.-born residents have at least one immigrant parent, according to the American Immigration Council.
Immigrants play a key role in the state's economy, comprising 21.4 percent of the labor force. They also represent 29.4 percent of entrepreneurs, 28.4 percent of STEM professionals and 20.3 percent of nurses.
Newsweek has contacted ICE for comment via email.
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