California Woman Reunites with Daughter After Deportation Fallout

Thu Apr 02 2026 04:33:24 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Maria de Jesús Estrada Juárez, who was deported after 27 years in the U.S., is reunited with her daughter Damaris following a judge's order that deemed her deportation a violation of DACA rights.

Maria de Jesús Estrada Juárez's return to California marks a significant moment as she reunites with her daughter Damaris after being unexpectedly deported to Mexico. Estrada Juárez's deportation, prompted by a past removal order, was highlighted by advocates as a concerning consequence of the current immigration policies impacting many DACA recipients. U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins ruled that the deportation infringed upon her DACA protections and due process rights, leading to her swift return. Damaris expressed relief at having her mother back, emphasizing the importance of family unity amidst the challenges faced by immigrant families.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A California woman who had been living in the U.S. for 27 years before the Trump administration deported her to Mexico in February reunited with her daughter this week after a judge ordered her return.

Mexican citizen Maria de Jesús Estrada Juárez was among the hundreds of thousands of people shielded from deportation under an Obama-era program allowing individuals brought to the U.S. as children to stay in the country if they generally stay out of trouble.

However, her status took a drastic turn on February 18 when authorities arrested her during an immigration hearing and swiftly deported her the following day. I didn’t get to say goodbye, the 42-year-old mother shared during a press conference in Sacramento, recalling the pain of her abrupt removal.

Damaris Bello, Estrada Juárez’s 22-year-old daughter, expressed the emotional turmoil of losing her mother so suddenly, likening it to grieving someone who is still alive.

The deportation of Estrada Juárez underscores the need for more permanent protections for DACA recipients, labeled as 'Dreamers.' Immigration advocates point out that her case illustrates the complexities and challenges faced by undocumented immigrants.

On March 23, U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins ruled that Estrada Juárez’s deportation was a violation of her DACA protections and a breach of due process rights. Strikingly, this case is one of the few instances of a judge ordering a deported individual’s return.

Following her deportation, Estrada Juárez spent time with relatives in Mexico while hoping to reunite with her daughter. When asked about her feelings, she stated, You can’t enjoy life when the most important part of your life is not there.”

The Department of Homeland Security defended the deportation, attributing it to a 1998 removal order issued when Estrada Juárez first arrived in the U.S. Immigration advocates argue that her DACA status granted her a vested right against deportation.

Now back in California, Damaris welcomes her mother home, emphasizing the significance of starting anew as a family. Having her back home means everything to me, she expressed, instilling hope for recovery and resilience in their lives moving forward.