Arrest of Undocumented Mother in the U.S. Sparks Outrage as Daughter with Cancer Left Without Care

The detention of Yolanda Magallón Pérez, a 50-year-old undocumented immigrant, has ignited a strong backlash in California, intensifying the ongoing debate over U.S. immigration policies. The mother of three was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in El Monte, east of Los Angeles, during an operation that also resulted in the arrest of her eldest son, Jonathan Tejeda. What has fueled the most outrage, however, is that Yolanda is the primary caregiver for her 21-year-old daughter, Xitlali Tejeda, who is battling an aggressive form of bone cancer and is wheelchair-bound.

The incident was captured on video by neighborhood residents and her son. The footage shows Yolanda being handcuffed as Jonathan tries to reassure her with comforting words: “It’s okay, you haven’t done anything.” Visibly distressed, Yolanda responds, “But they’re taking me.” Shortly after, she was placed in an ICE van and transported to the Otay Mesa detention center in San Diego, where she awaits a decision regarding her future.

The Impact on a Vulnerable Family

Since Yolanda's arrest on February 24, Xitlali's life has been turned upside down. Her osteosarcoma has worsened over the past year, necessitating chemotherapy and surgeries that have left her immobile. Her mother had been assisting with essential tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating. Now, with both Yolanda and Jonathan in custody, Xitlali finds herself in a dire predicament.

“I can’t walk or use the bathroom on my own,” she told Telemundo 51. “Without her, everything is hard, I haven’t even eaten well. All I think about is what will happen to her,” she added. Jonathan, also detained, has a criminal record, though his family claims he has served his sentence and is now the main breadwinner. His attorney, David Acalin, argues that Yolanda’s arrest was incidental, as she was not the primary target of ICE. Although she has a minor theft charge from 2005, her criminal record is otherwise clean, raising questions about the selective enforcement of immigration policies.

Public Outcry and Protests

The immigrant community in California has reacted with outrage to Magallón’s detention. Activist groups and pro-immigrant organizations have staged protests outside the Otay Mesa detention center, demanding her immediate release. “We demand that ICE and the courts recognize the consequences of separating a mother from her daughter, especially when the daughter is fighting for her life,” declared Flor Martínez, one of the organizers of the protests.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has expressed concern over the case and offered financial support to the family to prevent Yolanda’s children from becoming homeless. Additionally, fundraising campaigns have been launched to cover Magallón’s legal defense, as Xitlali has stated that her greatest fear is not her own health but her mother’s fate. “With them at risk of deportation, my health is in much more danger. I ask for the community’s help to afford a lawyer,” the young woman pleaded.

An Uncertain Legal Battle

Last Thursday, Yolanda Magallón attended her initial immigration hearing, marking the start of her legal proceedings. Her attorney has submitted documents demonstrating Xitlali’s dependency and has requested her release on bond. However, Acalin acknowledges that the odds are unfavorable, as immigration laws are stricter when the dependent is not a minor. If Xitlali were under 18, her mother might qualify for a special cancellation of removal process.

As the case unfolds, public pressure continues to mount. The aggressive immigration policies of Donald Trump, following his return to the White House, have placed families like Magallón’s under scrutiny, highlighting the precarious existence of thousands of immigrants living in the United States.