82-Year-Old Pennsylvania Grandfather Secretly Deported by ICE After Losing Green Card: A Heartbreaking Story

An 82-year-old man from Pennsylvania was unexpectedly deported to Guatemala after visiting an immigration office for a lost green card. His family hasn’t heard from him since and was first misinformed that he had died.

Luis Leon, a long-time resident of Allentown, came to the U.S. in 1987 seeking asylum. He had faced torture during the regime of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. After losing his wallet with his green card, he and his wife made an appointment to get a replacement.

When he arrived on June 20, ICE officers handcuffed him and took him away from his wife without explanation. She waited in the building for 10 hours, worried and confused.

The family tried to find him but received little information. Then, a woman claiming to be an immigration lawyer contacted them, but she offered no details about Leon’s situation. A few weeks later, she called again, saying he had died.

However, they later learned from a relative in Chile that he was alive and in a hospital in Guatemala, a country he has no ties to. He had been held in a detention center in Minnesota before being deported, even though his name was absent from ICE’s deportation lists.

This incident raises important questions about immigration policies. A recent Supreme Court ruling allows the deportation of immigrants to countries other than their homeland, a shift from past practices. This change can create confusion and distress for families.

Throughout his nearly 40 years in the U.S., Leon worked in a leather manufacturing plant and raised his family. He is now retired. His health is concerning; he has diabetes, high blood pressure, and a heart condition. His family plans to travel to Guatemala to see him.

ICE is currently investigating the situation.

In times like these, stories like Leon’s remind us of the complexities and human impacts of immigration. It’s essential to stay informed and advocate for transparency and humane treatment within the immigration system.

For more on this topic, you can refer to Morning Call.

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