Family’s Struggle Amid Immigration Enforcement
On a February afternoon, Stephanie Villarreal expressed breast milk and sent her husband, Juan Chavez Velasco, to the hospital to deliver it to their 12-day-old daughter in the neonatal intensive care unit. Their baby girl had been born 10 weeks premature.
As Chavez drove through Weslaco, his car was suddenly surrounded by black and white SUVs flashing patrol lights. Assuming they were pursuing someone else, he pulled over. Four U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents emerged, and one opened the door for him.
Upon confirming his identity, the agent disclosed, “Yes, that’s our target.” For the last 14 years, Chavez’s family had been eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which offers renewable work permits and protection from deportation for qualified young immigrants. He informed the agents that he had DACA status and was the father of three young children, including a baby he had yet to hold since birth.
Despite his explanations, Chavez was met with indifference. The agent reportedly told him that his status and family situation were irrelevant. Since President Trump’s return to office, the administration has intensified its targeting of DACA recipients, marking a significant shift in immigration policy.
From January to November 2025, at least 261 DACA recipients were arrested, with 75 of these arrests occurring in Texas alone. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that between 86 and 174 of these individuals were deported, revealing the administration’s aggressive stance towards undocumented immigrants.
Legal Challenges and Historical Context of DACA
During Trump’s first term, efforts to completely repeal DACA were met with legal resistance, culminating in a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the program. However, the ongoing discourse from the current administration casts doubt on the protections DACA offers. DHS reiterated that DACA does not grant legal status, insisting that recipients can face deportation for various reasons, including criminal activity.
The DHS has yet to comment on Chavez’s specific case. For more than a decade, DACA created a buffer for young immigrants from deportation, designed as a temporary solution awaiting Congress’s action on long-term immigrant reform for an estimated 11 million undocumented individuals. Advocates argue that the Trump administration is neglecting commitments made to DACA recipients.
Gabby Pacheco, president and CEO of TheDream.US, emphasized the legal foundations supporting DACA protections and urged an immediate halt to unlawful arrests. Under current regulations, DACA recipients risk losing their status if convicted of any serious or violent crime, while approximately 505,000 DACA recipients remain in the U.S., with over 84,000 residing in Texas.
Personal History and Asylum Journey
Chavez’s family fled violence in Colombia in 1999 after his grandfather was kidnapped by guerrillas. They arrived in Miami, initially on tourist visas, later seeking asylum. Chavez, who was only eight at the time, recalls not initially realizing that they were relocating permanently. The family eventually settled in McAllen, Texas, where his mother worked as a physical therapist while they awaited asylum processing.
However, after an immigration judge dismissed their case and ordered deportation, the family chose to remain in the U.S. due to ongoing political violence in Colombia. Over the years, Chavez’s sister married an American citizen, who subsequently helped their parents obtain green cards, but Chavez lacked a clear path to legal residency.
In 2012, the introduction of DACA paved the way for Chavez to pursue higher education and career goals. He graduated from the University of Texas at Pan American in 2013 with dual degrees in biology and clinical laboratory science, later finding a job in a hospital lab. He met Villarreal through a family food truck and they married in February 2025, shortly after President Trump’s re-election.
Impact of Detention on Family Dynamics
Villarreal experienced a life-altering event when their second daughter was born prematurely on February 6. Just days later, Chavez was arrested and taken to an immigration detention facility in Laredo. The impact of his detainment has been profound, particularly on their children. Villarreal initially explained Chavez’s absence by claiming he was away on business, but as weeks passed, the reality became clear to their son, who expressed his sorrow in painful innocence.
Villarreal has taken time off work to oversee childcare alone, while also attempting to maintain weekly visits with Chavez, often facing a lengthy commute due to her young children’s needs. Despite the challenges, she remains committed to managing their household without her husband’s support.
Facing Detention Conditions
Chavez’s lawyer is currently contesting his detention, and a U.S. District Judge has mandated that he cannot be deported while the case is under review. Meanwhile, Chavez has reported deteriorating conditions in the detention center, including health issues attributed to inadequate water and dietary restrictions.
Living conditions are stark, with Chavez sharing a crowded cell and facing challenges that, he says, are deliberately designed to induce stress. He remains resolute in his desire to stay in the U.S., asserting his sense of American identity amid the turmoil of his family’s experience.
