Miriam Martinez-Lemus, wife and Mother to two teenage girls, is constantly reminded that despite living in the US for over 26 years, she has to leave her sick daughter because she lacks the proper documents. Martinez has been wearing a tracking device for months after she defied a court order for deportation. A report by NBC News provided most of the information used in this article.

Martinez, now 53 years old, came to the US in 1992 after leaving her home in Guatemala. She crossed the border to flee violence and death back in her country. Miriam settled in Stamford, where she currently lives with her husband, Raphael Benavides and two daughters Brianna and Alison.

Her eldest daughter, Brianna, has Type 1 diabetes and requires constant care and medical attention. Martinez claims she will do whatever it takes to stay with her family. Her case has attracted a lot of support from neighbors and public officials in Connecticut. Martinez has been regularly checking in with immigration authorities for the past years without incident.

Deportation cases are at an all-time high

According to the executive director of Building One Community (B1C), a nonprofit organization that provides support to immigrant families in Stamford, cases similar to Martinez's have been on the rise with fewer deportation stay being issued. She also added that Miriam's case has a substantial humanitarian claim and she hopes Miriam is granted the opportunity to appeal her case in court.

After leaving Guatemala, Martinez spent years in the US working trying to build a life for herself and her family. Her two daughters go to Stamford public school and according to Martinez, they participate in schools sports and are very good in class. Briana is 13 years old and her younger sister is Alison is 10. Briana and Alison have been having a hard time watching their mother wearing an Ankle Bracelet and continuously being monitored.

According to Martinez, wearing the ankle bracelet makes her feel like she is treated like a criminal who has done something bad.

Her recent predicament has been hard for the whole family, according to Martinez, her daughters cry whenever she goes for her bracelet check. The children fear she might go and never come back. She tries to console and encourage them, but it's proving to be harder every day.

Martinez gets a home visit once a week and has to check in with the ICE every two weeks. She now has a pending motion before the immigration court in Hartford to re-open her case. Her lawyer is optimistic she will be given a chance to appeal her case. Connecticut’s Gov. Dannel Malloy and Sen. Richard Blumenthal have been publicly supporting the family.
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