Family Facing Forced Return to Colombia Despite Safety Concerns

A mother from the Bay Area and her two sons were detained at a U.S. immigration office in San Francisco and subsequently deported to Colombia. The case involves a 5‑year‑old boy who requires special hearing devices and a 6‑year‑old child with severe deafness. Both had been attending the California School for the Deaf in Fremont.

Background

• Abusive past: The mother fled Colombia after an abusive relationship with a gang member.
• Asylum claim: She feared her former partner would harm them if they returned, a circumstance that typically supports asylum.
• Four years in the U.S.: The family had lived in the country for four years before the incident.

Detention and Deportation

• Two days of disappearance: After arriving at the immigration office, no one could locate or contact the family.
• Confusing reports: The attorney received conflicting information that the children were held in Louisiana, Washington, and Phoenix before deportation.
• Missing medical equipment: The older son’s daily assistive devices were not provided, despite a relative waiting outside the detention center with them.

Reactions

• Educators’ appeal: The California Superintendent of Public Instruction and teachers from the children’s school demanded their return, citing denied educational and communication needs.
• Legal action: The attorney described the situation as “horrifying” and “undemocratic,” filing emergency appeals.
• Government silence: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to inquiries.

Ethical Concerns

The removal of children with severe hearing impairments without necessary medical support raises serious ethical questions about the treatment of vulnerable families in immigration proceedings.