Jan 16 - Blanca Figueroa and Severiano Martinez have known since the beginning of their eight-year marriage that she was at risk of deportation for entering the United States illegally.
Now - with the upcoming issuance of new directives meant to expedite the deportation process on Jan. 20, the concern has escalated into a source of significant anxiety and discussion in their central Florida residence.
Figueroa, a native of Guatemala, and Martinez, a U.S. citizen, reside with their seven-year-old son, born in the U.S., and Figueroa's teenage son from a previous relationship who holds a green card. Figueroa, the main provider for the family, looks after Martinez, who was injured while working on a horse ranch.
"Stress mounts as he fears managing the household and the boys if I get deported," Figueroa disclosed to Reuters.
Approximately one-third of the 1.4 million individuals anticipated for deportation - like Figueroa with "final orders of removal" - reside in the enforcement zones of Florida and Texas, based on data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement accessed by Reuters.
Both states have implemented stringent laws targeting undocumented immigrants. Another third of those under final orders live in California and other "sanctuary" states limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Multiple immigrants in Florida and Texas under removal orders, along with immigration advocates and church officials, shared with Reuters their growing anxiety and efforts to consult lawyers and prepare for the future of their children and dependents in case of deportation. Concerns include arbitrary arrests and consequences for driving without a valid license.
John Budensiek, sheriff of Martin County, Florida, near Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club, expressed challenges in coordinating with ICE officials during President Joe Biden's term, anticipating a stricter enforcement approach from the Trump administration.
ICE indicated that they assess individual circumstances when deciding on detention.
Figueroa, 36, crossed the U.S.-Mexico border unlawfully in 2016 and received a deportation order after missing a court hearing in November of the same year. Although she married Martinez, 64, afterward, she has not been able to regularize her status, having missed the deadline to appeal the deportation order.
The couple is grappling with limited options if Figueroa faces deportation, as staying in Florida with the children or relocating to Mexico present significant challenges, given her income and Martinez's health insurance reliance.
Martinez, a long-time Republican voter, refrained from voting recently due to the immigration discourse but remains hopeful the deportation rhetoric remains just that. "We need to have faith," Figueroa added.