Sergio Ramirez, a resident of Illinois since his adolescence, left the United States on September 7 after spending several months in immigration detention. His wife confirmed to the Chicago Sun-Times that the man from Zacatecas decided to voluntarily return to Mexico after facing an uncertain process. Documents reviewed by the outlet showed that his application for permanent residency had already advanced before his arrest. However, the Trump administration toughened immigration enforcement, signing 10 executive orders on his first day in office. In his first 100 days, ICE reported more than 66,000 arrests. On May 29, Sergio and his wife Kristina were traveling near the Canadian border when they took a wrong turn. At that point, they were detained by federal agents, who searched and interrogated them. Sergio said he spent three months in custody before opting for self-deportation with legal advice.

Interrogation and Accusations Against Kristina Ramirez

Kristina, a U.S. citizen born in Illinois, claimed that DHS and ICE agents detained her for three days, even after she showed her driver's license. She said she was questioned about her parents' birthplace and baselessly accused of being undocumented. Her account was later denied by CBP.

An agency spokesperson called Kristina's claims "a bald-faced lie." According to her account, the couple was referred for secondary inspection on May 31 for not carrying the proper travel documents. After the procedure, Sergio was taken into immigration custody, and Kristina was legally admitted on June 1.

Ramirez claimed to have no criminal history and emphasized that she had a Social Security number and a work permit. His wife added that they both had their papers in order, insisting they never imagined ending up in custody. “Who thinks they're going to arrest us in a situation like this?” Kristina told the Chicago Sun-Times.

The DHS responded that being married to a U.S. citizen or having a visa pending does not automatically protect an undocumented immigrant. Officials emphasized that all cases must be resolved before an immigration judge and stressed that the Trump administration will not ignore strict enforcement of the law.

His Departure from the United States

Before his return to Mexico, Sergio told the Chicago Sun-Times that many immigrants come to work and contribute, recalling that "not all are the same." Kristina, for her part, confessed that her worst fear had already come true: seeing her husband forcibly removed from the country after decades of residence.

Despite the emotional blow, Kristina announced that she will travel to Zacatecas to reunite with Sergio. The couple will evaluate whether there are legal options for him to return to the United States or, failing that, settle permanently in Mexico, while they face together the forced separation that marked their lives.