(WTNH) — A wife and mother from Stamford is facing deportation back to her native Guatemala. She’s set to get on a plane on Monday afternoon. Her supporters are trying to stop that from happening.
Miriam Martinez-Lemus filed for asylum when she came to the U.S. 25 years ago, but that failed. Her latest request for a stay was denied.
Glenn Formica, her attorney, says she’s going with him to speak with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on Monday morning to say she’ll accept what they decide to do, but she’s not going back to Guatemala. They’re hoping she’ll get a stay.
“I’m hoping for a miracle,” he said.Related Content: Community rallies for New Britain father facing deportation
Martinez-Lemus and her husband, who is from Peru and is also trying to get citizenship, have two daughters. Both of them were born in the U.S.
“[They are] crying. They said I’m scared, mommy, I’m scared. I don’t want you to go,” Martinez-Lemus said.
“Mom is essential. Mom is the backbone of our family,” said Raphael Benavides, Martinez-Lemus’s husband.
One of their daughters has type 1 diabetes, making the family’s situation even direr. Formica says Martinez-Lemus provides most of her daughter’s care.
“Her daughter could die if she doesn’t have the right kind of care, which as a parent myself is probably the most horrifying thing to think about,” said Formica.
The family had support from the community on Sunday afternoon in New Haven. Friends and advocates joined them to try to figure out what to do next.
“I’ve got to fight for my daughters because in Guatemala they don’t have the medicine,” said Martinez-Lemus.
Her daughters would stay in the U.S. with Benavides. They’re hoping their family will be able to stay together.Related Content: Mother of 3 fighting deportation granted emergency stay
“We truly wish that no one…in the whole world should be broken apart,” said Benavides.
Martinez-Lemus’s supporters are planning to rally Monday morning in Hartford. They’ll be across the street from the ICE office at 7:30 a.m.