In a move that has sparked debate over U.S. immigration policies, a California couple who lived in the country for 35 years without a criminal record has been deported to Colombia, leaving their U.S.-born children behind.
Gladys Gonzales, 55, and Nelson Gonzalez, 59, had resided in Laguna Niguel, a community south of Los Angeles, since entering the United States in 1989. The couple was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in on February 21 and subsequently deported on March 18. Their three adult daughters, all U.S. citizens, have since spoken out about what they call a “cruel and unjust” situation.
“This sudden occurrence has left us in shock,” the daughters wrote in a GoFundMe post. “For nearly four decades, they have built a life here—raising three daughters, giving back to their community, and recently welcoming their first grandchild. Now, they are being treated as criminals, held in detention centers, and facing deportation.”
ICE confirmed the deportation, stating that both individuals had “exhausted all legal options to remain in the U.S.” The agency noted that Nelson Gonzalez had filed for asylum in 1992 but failed to attend an interview, leading to the closure of his case in 1998. In 2000, the couple voluntarily agreed to leave the country but continued to seek legal avenues to stay, filing appeals over the next two decades.
Despite never missing an immigration check-in, the couple was abruptly detained last month, a move their family believes reflects a broader crackdown on undocumented immigrants, including those without criminal records. While remaining in the U.S. without authorization is a civil infraction rather than a crime, ICE’s enforcement priorities have increasingly targeted individuals regardless of their legal standing or community ties.
The deportation comes amid continued scrutiny of immigration policies and enforcement tactics. Many undocumented immigrants in similar situations have been permitted to stay in the past due to humanitarian reasons, health concerns, or because they were not deemed a high priority for removal.
The Gonzalezes originally fled Colombia during a period of political violence, as the country faced ongoing conflicts involving drug cartels and left-wing guerrillas. Now, after 35 years of building a life in the U.S., they find themselves back in their birth country, separated from their children and grandchildren.
ICE declined to clarify why the couple was allowed to stay after 2021 despite having exhausted their legal options at that time. Their daughters continue to advocate for their parents, hoping to raise awareness about what they call an unjust immigration system that disrupts families and communities.
