US Airman’s mother expecting deportation
Ana Luisa Moreno, 46, was born in Ciudad, Juarez. She got married at 18 and came to the United States illegally.
During her 25-year stay Moreno has worked about five years. “I dedicated my life to my children,” Moreno said.
Moreno eventually got a work visa, but in 2010 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement learned she was living in El Paso.
Moreno was penalized, her visa was taken away and she was ordered to move back to Juarez.
It was during a time when violence was prevalent in Juarez. “During a visit, they kidnapped my son,” Moreno said. At that point, she made the decision to reenter the U.S. illegally.
“It’s just sad for me, I lived it with her,” said Roland Rios, Moreno’s son.
Rios is now 24 and serves with the U.S. Air Force. Moreno’s two daughters are UTEP students and one of them owns a business.
Two years ago, while in the country illegally, Moreno was caught and faced deportation.
She received two orders of stay during the Obama administration.
The order essentially gives undocumented immigrants time to appeal the process or get ready for deportation, but Moreno was given another chance to appeal.
“The reason she was allowed to stay was because of my military service. Nowadays it doesn’t seem to play a role anymore,” Rios said.
Rios said laws have become more strict with the new administration.
As Moreno sits with the family, her ankle bracelet blinks.
“I’m not a delinquent I’ve never gotten any tickets,” Moreno said.
“Whoever is making these decisions … I hope that they are not really meaning whats going on. Maybe the message is being broken in the middle and maybe people are misunderstanding what is supposed to be happening,” Rios said
“This affects the whole family. It brings consequences instead of finding solutions,” Moreno said.
Rios got a letter from Rep. Beto O’ Rourke pleading with ICE to allow her to stay, but to no avail.
Moreno is expected to be deported Friday.
It could take up to 10 years for the U.S. to allow her back into the country.
