With growing support from Milwaukee residents, leaders, and advocates, Yessenia’s departure has been delayed.
(Milwaukee, June 3, 2025)- Yessenia Ruano, a longtime Milwaukee Public Schools teacher’s aide, survivor of human trafficking, and mother of 10-year-old twin daughters who are U.S. citizens, was ordered on May 30th by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to “self-deport” to El Salvador today, June 3, despite a pending application for a T-visa that could offer her a path to safety and stability.
On June 2, Yessenia’s attorney, Marc Christopher, submitted a formal Request for Stay of Removal, urging ICE to delay her deportation while the agency reviews her pending T-visa application, filed as a survivor of human trafficking. ICE confirmed receipt of the request and, in response, has allowed Yessenia to remain in the U.S. temporarily while her case is reviewed. However, the request does not automatically halt deportation, and ICE may still carry out the removal order at any time.
“She has survived unimaginable trauma and still found the strength to give so much to her community,” said her attorney Marc Christopher, in a recorded statement (see on Youtube). “All we ask is that she be allowed to stay, at least until her T-visa is decided, so she is not sent back into the very danger she fled.”
“The U.S. government should not be forcing a beloved mother, teacher, and community member to self-deport without regard to her contributions and how this deportation can endanger her life and that of her family. Instead of investigating cartels, why is our government prioritizing targeting the victims? These policies do not make our communities safer or help us build a more thriving and healthier society for all,” said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera.
Yessenia’s case has deeply moved the Milwaukee community. Today, the Milwaukee Common Council held 14 minutes of silence, one for every year Yessenia has lived in the US, in her honor (see livestream here). U.S. Representative Gwen Moore and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley both issued public statements in support of Yessenia.
A GoFundMe has been launched to help Yessenia and her family cover emergency relocation costs, secure safe housing, and support her daughters during this painful separation.
