Introduction to the Reunion
Overwhelmed but grateful. That’s how an undocumented woman whose detainment went viral described her release since she’s been able to reunite with her ailing daughter.
The Story of Yolanda Perez
Yolanda Perez’s pleas with immigration officers last month to release her so she could care for her daughter, who is battling bone cancer, widely circulated social media platforms. After being held at a detention center in San Diego for about two weeks, Perez was granted bond Tuesday and returned to her home in El Monte.
Reunion and Relief
“I’m happy because I’m here with my daughter,” Perez told NBC4. Perez is the main caretaker of her 21-year-old daughter Xitlali Perez Tejeda, whom she cares for amid her chemotherapy treatments. The mother was arrested Feb. 24 after immigration officers targeted her undocumented son.
The Arrest and Charges
“I wasn’t doing anything bad, just fighting to survive,” she said. Immigration officers discovered the elder Perez had a shoplifting charge from 2005 for stealing food, and they placed her under arrest as they detained her son, Johnathan, for non-violent drug and mail theft charges that stemmed from 2012 to 2017.
Reaction from the Daughter
Perez Tejeda, who is a U.S. citizen, expressed her gratitude for her mother’s release. “It feels good. It feels like a relief,” she said. She added that the reunion with her mother feels like a weight off her shoulders. According to Perez Tejeda, the family is now trying to bring her older brother home.
The Family’s Situation
An undocumented El Monte mother is now in federal custody along with her undocumented son. Her family says she doesn’t have a criminal background and she is the primary care taker for her daughter who is battling cancer.
Perez Tejeda said, “I just hope they let him go,” she said. “He deserves to be out here. He already did his time and he deserves it, and he has changed a lot.”
Community Support and Future
The older Perez entered the U.S. from Jalisco in search of better opportunities. She said she’s thankful for her community’s support and for the support of those who rallied for her. “While yes, I am undocumented, I’m not a bad person,” she said. “We all deserve our rights.” Perez will have to check in with immigration officials through her release and live with an ankle monitor for the foreseeable future. She will likely be called to court again, but is unclear when. Her son’s next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
Conclusion
The reunion of Yolanda Perez and her daughter Xitlali Perez Tejeda brings a sense of relief to the family, but their journey is far from over. The family continues to navigate the complexities of the immigration system, seeking a more stable future for all its members.
FAQs
- Q: Why was Yolanda Perez detained?
A: Yolanda Perez was detained due to a shoplifting charge from 2005 and because she is undocumented. - Q: What is the current situation with her son, Johnathan?
A: Johnathan is also in detention for non-violent drug and mail theft charges and is awaiting his next court appearance. - Q: How is Xitlali Perez Tejeda, Yolanda’s daughter, dealing with the situation?
A: Xitlali feels a sense of relief now that her mother is home but is concerned about her brother’s situation and hopes he will be released. - Q: What are the next steps for Yolanda Perez?
A: Yolanda will have to check in with immigration officials regularly and wear an ankle monitor. She is expected to appear in court again, though the date is not yet confirmed.
