Yessenia Ruano, a teacher's aide in Milwaukee, made the choice to self-deport with her US-born twin daughters today after a lengthy and complex immigration battle, as per her attorney Marc Christopher's confirmation to WISN News. Ruano, who has been in the United States for 14 years after fleeing human trafficking in El Salvador, was employed in Milwaukee's education system and had applied for a T visa designated for trafficking victims. However, despite her clean record and contributions to the community, her request to stay in the U.S. while her application processed was denied by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to a press conference covered by CBS58, Sarah Winthrop of the Milwaukee Teachers' Association reflected on Ruano's impact, saying, "To Miss Ruano: you have taught so many people in the classroom and have taught the community. You have taught so many people what it looks like to fight, stand up for yourself and your whole community. We have all learned from you and seeing your struggle," signifying the deep impression Ruano's struggle has had on those around her. Her departure was also noted as highly emotional by witnesses at Milwaukee Mitchell Airport, as reported by TMJ4 News.
Under normal circumstances, a T visa application would require two to four months to process but current times have stretched this to a staggering three to four years, thereby ensnaring applicants like Ruano in a drawn-out battle with an uncertain end, now concluded with a self-deportation, an account of the timing issue was provided by her lawyer Marc Christopher in an interview with CBS58.
Despite the denial decision and the ensuing self-deportation, Ruano received substantial public support in the preceding weeks, a testament not just to her individual plight but the broader community's recognition of her circumstances and contributions. Ruano took her daughters and flew out late this morning, as detailed by her lawyer.
