A South Florida DACA mother who has been stuck in Mexico after she tried to gain legal status in the U.S. for more than a year finally came back home.
Walking through the arrivals gate at Palm Beach International Airport, Lucia Trujillo of Clewiston, is finally back home in South Florida after being stuck in Mexico for more than a year.
"I opened the window, because the guy said we're landing, and I just started seeing the green, the green grass, and I was like, 'Oh Lord, thank you so much I am finally home,' you know. Honestly, all I can say is that I am very grateful," Trujillo said. "I am very grateful to god. Because I think he’s been a big part of this. I also thank everyone who shared my petition."
Trujillo, who is a DACA recipient, was advised by another immigration attorney to fly to the Mexican border town of Ciudad Juarez in March of last year when she wanted to apply for an immigration visa to become a permanent U.S. resident.
She went but in her application, she voluntarily disclosed that she entered the U.S. illegally twice when she was two years old and seven years old.
On the spot, she was denied re-entry into the United States for 10 years.
"That day I cried. You know, my kids weren’t there. I just felt like my hands were tied. Like there’s now a way for me to go back," Trujillo said.
She tried to find work in Mexico and volunteered to keep busy while her husband took care of their two children back here in South Florida.
"It’s been very hard especially with me and the kids and both having their mom with us," said Francisco Truijillo, Lucia's husband.
In June of this year, she applied for a humanitarian visa --- got a new immigration attorney, and got help from an organization called “Dreamers.”
Trujillo said a petition on change.org that called for the support of state politicians also helped in her return.
"With their inquiries, I think it is what speeded up the process and I was able to come back and it's been a big blessing," Trujillo said.
After interviewing with the U.S. embassy in Ciudad Juarez, Lucia was able to travel to El Paso, Texas where her husband and little son went to meet her.
"To be the first person to see her. It's been a while since I've seen her and wanted to capture that moment," said Francisco Trujillo.
Other family members met up with them at Palm Beach International Airport. Lucia said is looking forward to spending the upcoming holidays with her family and will continue the process to gain permanent residence status moving forward.
"That is the most important part, is not giving up," Trujillo said.