Quick Read
- Yessenia Ruano, a Milwaukee-based mother of twin daughters and school worker, faces imminent deportation despite 14 years of life in the U.S.
- Her story highlights the human toll of America’s outdated immigration policies and enforcement practices.
- Community support, including unions and immigrant rights organizations, has delayed her deportation, but her future remains uncertain.
Yessenia Ruano’s Milwaukee home is a picture of love and resilience. Her husband Miguel tends to dinner, her twin daughters, Eli and Paola, play in the living room, and their Bichon Frisé, Copito, adds warmth to their lives. Yet, this serene domestic scene masks a looming threat: Yessenia is at risk of deportation to El Salvador, a move that could shatter the life she’s built over the past 14 years in the United States.
Yessenia’s case underscores the precarious reality faced by millions of immigrants living under the shadow of deportation. Her story is one of persistence, community support, and the deeply human impact of immigration policies that many describe as outdated and harsh.
The looming threat of deportation
In February 2025, during a routine check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Yessenia was informed that her deportation process would be expedited. The agent advised her to return in two months with a plane ticket to El Salvador. This April, as her next appointment approaches, the weight of uncertainty bears heavily on her and her family. Yessenia has checked in with ICE 17 times since 2011 and has complied with every requirement, including wearing a GPS monitor. Still, her hope for a resolution hangs in the balance.
Yessenia entered the United States in 2011, fleeing dangerous conditions in El Salvador. Her initial asylum petition, known as “withholding of removal,” was denied after a decade-long wait, leaving her in legal limbo. Now, she is seeking a visa designed for victims of human trafficking, citing her experiences upon entering the U.S. However, her application is stalled in a backlog that has grown significantly in recent years, according to The 19th.
A family at risk of separation
Yessenia’s deportation would not only uproot her life but also disrupt the lives of her family members, all of whom are deeply tied to Milwaukee. Her twin daughters, Eli and Paola, are U.S. citizens, thriving in school and extracurricular activities. Eli loves art and crafting intricate clay sculptures, while Paola excels in math and enjoys building with Legos. The girls also share a love for music, learning to play the violin and viola. Moving to El Salvador would drastically alter their futures, exposing them to economic instability and potential gender-based violence.
Miguel, Yessenia’s husband and a high school acquaintance from El Salvador, also lacks legal immigration status. Together, they have built a stable life, purchasing a duplex and becoming active members of their local Catholic parish and community. “It’s like they’re trying to rip away my dreams, and also those of my two girls,” Yessenia lamented to The 19th.
Community mobilization delays deportation
On April 15, 2025, Yessenia attended a critical appointment at the ICE field office in Milwaukee. Thanks to the efforts of immigrant rights groups like Voces de la Frontera and her union, the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA), her deportation has been temporarily delayed. These organizations rallied dozens of supporters to protest outside the ICE office, demanding justice for Yessenia and her family.
The mobilization was part of a broader effort to challenge what activists see as unjust immigration enforcement practices. A petition launched by Voces de la Frontera garnered thousands of signatures in a matter of hours, reflecting widespread support for Yessenia’s case. “Actions like this one are incredibly important,” a representative from Socialist Alternative told Internationalsocialist. “They prevent immediate tragedies while building momentum for systemic change.”
However, advocates emphasize that this is only a temporary victory. Without permanent immigration reform, many families like Yessenia’s remain at risk of separation.
The broader implications of Yessenia’s story
Yessenia’s struggle highlights the human cost of America’s broken immigration system. Laws that have not been updated in decades fail to account for the modern realities of immigration patterns and the country’s reliance on immigrant labor. This system leaves millions of individuals at the mercy of shifting political priorities.
Under the Trump administration, deportations surged, targeting individuals with no criminal record who had established deep ties to their communities. Yessenia’s case is emblematic of this trend. Advocates argue that her story underscores the need for comprehensive immigration reform that prioritizes family unity and recognizes the contributions of immigrants to American society.
For Yessenia, the stakes are deeply personal. As she navigates the uncertainties of her case, she remains determined to keep her family together. “If they’re a little human, then I can prove I belong here,” she told The 19th. Her resilience serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.
Yessenia Ruano’s fight for her family’s future is far from over. Her story underscores the urgent need for compassionate immigration policies that uphold the values of family, community, and justice. As the debate over immigration reform continues, her case serves as a poignant call to action.