A family in Queens is grappling with the emotional fallout of a recent deportation, which has left them struggling to survive. Jessica Supliguicha, an Ecuadorian native, is now raising her two children alone after her husband, Jorge, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and deported just three days before the birth of their daughter, Maite Cristina.
On September 6, 2023, Jorge was apprehended while he was attempting to resolve issues with his immigration status. Outside the 26 Federal Plaza, his pregnant wife awaited their reunion, but he never emerged. The unexpected separation has left Supliguicha devastated and struggling to maintain stability for her family.
Inside their small apartment, Jessica cradles her newborn while reflecting on the loss of her husband, who has never met Maite. “She was a girl that I was going to lose from the beginning,” Supliguicha shared, noting the challenges they faced during her pregnancy. “But I never thought that at eight months she would also have to overcome the absence of her father.”
With Jorge deported to Ecuador, where he faces potential danger due to gang violence, the family is left in a precarious situation. Jorge had fled to the United States after the murder of his brother by gang members. Now, he is forced to hide as he fears for his safety. “He couldn’t prove here with facts that he was in danger. Right now, he is in danger. He’s always hiding. He doesn’t go out much,” Jessica explained.
The couple’s relationship began when they were teenagers, but it wasn’t until their paths crossed again in 2023 that they began a romantic relationship. Both had children from previous marriages, but they found solace in one another amid the violence in Ecuador. Jessica became a U.S. citizen earlier in 2023 after ten years of residency, while Jorge was in the process of rectifying his immigration status when he was detained.
Jorge’s circumstances worsened after the couple married shortly before his deportation. He was fitted with an ankle monitor, but just days later, he was ordered to appear in court and subsequently taken into custody. Since then, Jessica has not seen or heard from him.
As Supliguicha navigates the challenges of single motherhood, a sense of despair permeates their home. “Despite both of us attempting to put on a brave face, a sense of sadness and despair clung to the walls and ceilings of the home,” she said. Her nine-year-old son Dylan, who looked to Jorge as a father figure, now finds comfort in his pet cat. The absence of his father leaves him feeling isolated.
Jessica plans to return to work within weeks to support her family financially. She is currently struggling to make ends meet and fears for their future. She expressed her hope for reuniting with Jorge and allowing their daughter to grow up with both parents. “All I can do is move forward and find a way to do things the way they’re supposed to be,” she stated.
The family is now waiting for the approval of the I-130 form, which would allow Jorge to return to the United States. In the meantime, Jessica urges for a reconsideration of policies that lead to family separations, emphasizing the emotional toll it takes on children. “Experiencing family separation is awful,” she said, underscoring the need for compassion in immigration policies.
The story of Jessica and Jorge highlights the complexities and human costs of immigration enforcement. As they navigate this difficult chapter, their hope for reunification remains a guiding light amid uncertainty.
