Oscar Hernández, who crossed the Mexican border illegally in 2004, and his wife, María Eugenia, waited three years for a marriage interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Before the interview was over, Hernández had been detained by ICE.
“I went to the immigration appointment with a lot of confidence because it was an interview. I never imagined they would take my husband away under arrest,” María Hernández told the Miami Herald. “We are trying to do the right thing.”
The Hernándezes were married three years ago after dating for four years. The interview, which included a statement from their joint bank account, a marriage certificate and wedding photos, was meant to prove to ICE that their union is legitimate; María Hernández is a U.S. citizen and had filed a petition that would allow Oscar to become a legal citizen.
“He is my biggest support. He has been with me in good times and bad times,” María, who has multiple sclerosis — as does her son — told the Herald. “If they deport him, I could say that I would follow him to Nicaragua. But how am I going to take care of my disease there? How are we going to pay for the medicine?”
Oscar Hernández, who financially supported his family, was arrested, processed and released by border patrol after he crossed into the U.S. in 2004. His wife said he never got the letter ordering him to appear before an immigration judge. When he failed to show up for his court date, his deportation was ordered.
His attorney, Jessica Shulruff Schneider, told CNN that she’s working to get him released.
“This is not just any ordinary case. This is a situation of a wife that has a debilitating disorder, multiple sclerosis, and a son that has the same condition, and both of them require specialized care and support from their family,” she said. “Mr. Hernandez as her family was that support system.”
Read it via The San Diego Union-Tribune here.