Canadian Woman Detained in U.S. Amid Contradictory Immigration Policies

The Olivera family from California is grappling with feelings of betrayal after Cynthia Olivera, a Canadian national, was detained by federal agents while attempting to secure her permanent residency in the U.S. Cynthia, a mother of three American-born children, is caught in a troubling situation that contradicts the Trump administration's claims that their immigration enforcement efforts are aimed only at serious criminals.

Cynthia's husband, Francisco Olivera, is a U.S. citizen who supported Trump’s tough stance on immigration, believing it to be a necessary measure against dangerous individuals. They were shocked to discover that Cynthia's past, which included her entry into the U.S. as a child without permission, would put her at risk of deportation despite her long history of contributing to society through work and taxes.

Having lived in the U.S. for over 25 years, Cynthia was previously granted a work permit under the Biden administration and was in the process of applying for a green card. However, her immigration status culminated in a detention during her green card interview, leading to her transfer to an ICE facility in El Paso, Texas, where she awaits deportation.

While Cynthia expresses her deep connection to the United States, emphasizing it as her home and the place where she built her life, federal authorities maintain their stance on the legality of her situation, asserting that she has previously ignored U.S. immigration laws. Despite her husband’s initial hope in Trump's policies, he now expresses disillusionment with how those very policies have impacted their family. Cynthia has indicated her willingness to return to Canada, where she has family, but there remains uncertainty regarding the timing of her departure from the U.S. As she faces the possibility of being sent back, she poignantly states that her greatest crime has been working hard for her family and loving the country she calls home.