After 25 years living in the United States, Ester Soliman-Ramos faces one of the most difficult situations of her life. The Filipino woman, who was in the process of obtaining permanent residency, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on the grounds that she had a history of theft and driving without a license.

According to Newsweek, her case has caused a stir among family members, neighbors, and immigration advocates, who point out that Ester always led a quiet life without a criminal record.

For many, the detention sends a worrying message to thousands of immigrants who are in legal proceedings, as it shows that these do not necessarily protect them from immediate action by the authorities.

An arrest that stirs immigration tensions

Ester was arrested by ICE agents on August 4 when she attended an appointment related to her inclusion in the "Alternatives to Detention" program at the recommendation of ICE. The woman, originally from the Philippines, had begun the process of obtaining permanent residency last year, sponsored by her minor daughter, a U.S. citizen.

According to Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the Office of Public Affairs, her stay in the U.S. began with a B-2 tourist visa that allowed her to remain until March 2000.

More than 25 years later, according to the Department of Homeland Security, she remained in the country illegally. The agency detailed that she has a final deportation order issued in 2011, two prior arrests for theft, and a recent incident for driving without a license and improperly restraining a minor.

After being arrested, Ester was transferred to the Clinton County Correctional Center in Pennsylvania, where she remains in custody while her case is decided.

The blow to her family and the social mobilization

For her children, the arrest has been an emotional and economic blow. Her daughter, Sanjee, reported that the USCIS appointment did not indicate a risk of detention and that her mother attended confidently. Since then, family members, neighbors, and local advocacy groups have launched campaigns to raise awareness of her case and funds to cover her legal defense. A Go Fund Me launched by the family has already raised a significant amount, supported by messages highlighting Ester's active role in her neighborhood. Political leaders, such as State Representative Ismail Smith-Wade-El, have publicly called for her long-term residency and community ties to be considered before executing any deportation order.