According to media reports, an Orange County couple came to the United States without authorization about 35 years ago to raise three daughters and now have a new grandson deported to Colombia earlier this week.
Nelson Gonzalez, 59, and his wife, Gladys Gonzalez, 55, initially entered the state near San Ysidro, before eventually settling in Laguna Niguel and forming a family.
Over the years, the couple tried many legal avenues to stay in the country, including appeals to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Immigration Commission’s Appeals Board, but a spokesman for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told Orange County that Gonzalez registered Gonzalez enjoyed all legal options in time on March 20, 2000.
Their three daughters are Gabby, 23, Jessica, 33, and Stephanie, 27, and all U.S. citizens told Ktla that they were destroyed when they learned they were detained on February 21 while on a regular check-in with U.S. immigration officials.
-
Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez are with their family. (Gonzalez family)
-
Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez take a photo with their three daughters (the Gonzalez family)
-
Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez were photographed with their grandson. (Gonzalez family)
-
Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez moved to the United States from Columbia and raised a family in Orange County, California. (Gonzalez family)
-
Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez pose with their grandson. (Gonzalez family)
-
Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez saw it with their three daughters and young grandsons (center). (Gonzalez family)
“They were handcuffed with their wrists and ankles and were considered criminals before they arrived at these detention centers,” Stephanie Gonzalez told KTLA. “What they said is that they extended their accommodation, even if they have permission to be here every year and they are law-abiding citizens, they show up and are fulfilling their responsibilities of signing in with immigrants and say, “Hey, I'm here.” I didn't hide or do anything wrong. 'Then they just arrested them. ”
Sue claims man suffered fatal brain damage on Six Flags roller coaster
Neither Gladys nor Nelson had a criminal record, initially held at the Adelanto Detention Center in San Bernardino County, and then transferred to a facility in Arizona and later Louisiana.
Stephanie told the Register that despite her parents traumatized about everything they experienced, they were no longer grateful to be detained and contacted Colombian families who are helping them start a new life.
Two young sisters, Gabby and Stephanie, currently live with Jessica and her husband in Newport Beach, and all are planning to visit their parents in the coming weeks.
Family members also acknowledged that they were one of many people influenced by President Donald Trump, whose administration aims to strengthen arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants in the United States
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming videos, head to KTLA.
