President Donald Trump’s recent changes to U.S. immigration policy have raised concerns across the nation, particularly with his emphasis on limiting both legal and illegal immigration.
One of the main focal points of these changes is the deportation of individuals in the U.S. without proper documentation. However, the impact of these policies extends beyond just those without legal status.
One Houston family whose story highlights the challenges even those with legal documentation are facing under the new directives.
SEE ALSO: Venezuelan immigrants in limbo after TPS protections are revoked
Family’s legal immigration status in jeopardy
Gustavo, a father who legally brought his family to the U.S., now faces the heartbreaking reality of potentially separating from his daughter.
Their eldest daughter, who had been living in the U.S. legally through a humanitarian parole program, is now being forced to return to Nicaragua due to the cancellation of the program under an executive order signed by President Trump on Monday.
While the family is legally in the country, this executive order directly affects their daughter’s status, leaving her with no option but to leave her family and return to an uncertain future.
Emotional toll on the family
Gustavo’s family is reeling from the emotional impact of this decision. His daughter is struggling with the possibility of returning to Nicaragua, a country facing economic hardship and political unrest. Randall McMillan, the family’s sponsor, shared the immense emotional distress this situation is causing.
“She’s depressed,” McMillan said. “She even talked about taking her life. It’s tragic because she’ll be forced back into an environment where there are no jobs, no opportunities, and if you’re not part of the communist political party, you’re nothing.”
The uncertainty of immigration status
Gustavo’s family originally planned to continue applying for parole under the program as long as it was available, while pursing her green card. With the cancellation of the program, those hopes are now dashed. “It’s over,” McMillan explained, adding that the family’s long-term immigration plans have been thrown into disarray.
Immigration attorney Ruby L. Powers explained that while Gustavo’s daughter could attempt to stay illegally, her future in the U.S. is uncertain. For others in similar situations, Powers said, the options are limited: “Some may apply for asylum or temporary protected status (TPS), but even TPS is in question. Others may choose to overstay their visas and hope for the best.”
A changing landscape for immigrants
Powers, who has 16 years of experience as an immigration attorney, emphasized that the changes happening under the current administration are unprecedented in terms of frequency and scope. “I’ve never seen so many changes in such a short time,” she said. “It’s like into almost a tsunami of changes. And I hope it calms down soon. But for the most part, never in my 16 years of practice have I ever seen so many changes and so little time.”
A long road ahead for the family
While Gustavo’s 21-year-old son was able to apply for a change in status with the help of their sponsor, his daughter, now 24, has no choice but to wait for a green card—a process that could take several years. Given the uncertain future of immigration laws, she cannot wait for that status change while remaining in the U.S. with her family.
The family’s story is one of many, highlighting the real-life consequences of shifting immigration policies. Families who have followed the rules and entered the country legally are finding themselves caught in a whirlwind of changes that could tear them apart, leaving many questioning their future in the U.S.