Orange County

Mother deported in 2018 reunites with family in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — There was an emotional reunion at the Orlando International Airport on Saturday, as a mother who was deported from Central Florida three years ago reunited with her family.

Alejandra Juarez is ready to celebrate Mother’s Day after she was deported to Mexico in 2018.

Juarez lived in Central Florida with her family for two decades before she was deported.

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She was escorted from Customs and Immigration shortly after her plane landed in Orlando.

Juarez is a military wife, married to a combat veteran who served three tours in Iraq for the U.S.

Their two daughters, who were born in the U.S., couldn’t wait to hug their mother.

Juarez’s visit is only temporary, however.

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In January, Rep. Darren Soto wrote a letter to President Joe Biden, asking him to give Juarez a humanitarian parole.

That parole was granted, and Juarez is allowed to return for one year.

Her attorney, Andrea Martinez, said they are now relying on Congress to pass an immigration reform bill that would make Juarez’s status permanent so she can one day become a U.S. citizen.

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Martinez hopes that by speaking to the media, people who have never known an immigrant will have more compassion for what families go through.

Soto introduced a bill called the “Protect Patriot Spouses Act” that will help this family if passed.

Soto said his fight will not be over until she is granted a permanent stay.

See the full report in the video above.

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