One day before the court hearing, Yasmine Valzuiz is transferred to the hospital at John F. Hospital. Kennedy memorial in Indo, California, on April 9, 2025.
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Indio, California – When the Yasmelin Verazuez nurse told the hospital for a few days, Velazquez was anxious.
“I can’t stay!” I shouted. “I have a migration court tomorrow!”
The hospital comes at a bad time. Missing the first court the next day, it will almost ensure a 36 -year -old deportation order for Venezuelan immigrants and her young buildings.
She is especially ready since receiving Email From the US Department of Internal Security two days ago to notify it that its temporary situation in the country had been terminated.
“It is time for you to leave the United States,” read the email. “Don’t try to stay in the United States – the federal government will find you.”
Velazquez is among the increasing number of immigrants who have received DHS email. Each of them came to the United States through the legal paths that President Trump has now ended, or they were granted temporary protection from deportation after surrendering to immigration authorities on the American border and Mexico.
They have now left for forgetfulness: Should they stay and continue the legal process? Can they be arrested or deported while waiting for their day in court?
NPR followed the immigration journey in Villazkuiz from Siodad Khuraiz, Mexico, where she waited 8 months to enter the United States via the CBP One application, a legal path during the Biden era of asylum seekers. It became one of 900,000 people who used the application, which was the only way to make a date for a migration session in the United States at the time.
But as the court approaches, Villazkuiz NPR told her that she feels nervous. Immigrants have been captured by the court’s immigration authorities recently, and this may also happen.
Then, called the doctor during Villazkoz’s transformation in Wall Mart. The doctor explained that it has some bad test results and you may need to stay in the emergency room for a few days.
After going back, Velazquez was cleared to leave the hospital. You will arrive at the court the next day – but the doctor warns that her condition may get worse.
Outside John F. Kennedy memorial in Indo, California, is waiting for Yilesin Valzuiz its partner to bring the car on April 9, 2025.
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After moving away from overnight, Yasilin Valzuiz is received with joy while her son jumps on her in the reunion on April 9, 2025.
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The sun did not rise when Villazkuys, her partner, and her young children, Jeremyas, 4, left their 4 -year -old Jeremy, their home in Indo, California, the next day.
“The Father God, be a lawyer, be our judge”, prayed. “Touch the heart of Judge Simonz.”
They are worried – so they sing while driving black SUVs used on the highway.
After more than two hours on the road, the family is withdrawn in the immigration court in an industrial park in a suburb of southern California.
Dozens of other families, or so, make their way to the courtroom.
Yasilin Valzuziz woke her two children at 3:30 am to have breakfast before they leave to the Immigration Court. April 10, 2025.
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Yasmelin Valazquez sons sitting quietly while the family leads two hours to the Immigration Court on April 10, 2025.
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First listening sessions like this are usually low risk. The judge checks the identities of migrants, and decide whether an application will be submitted for a form of relief, such as asylum. Then a second session is scheduled.
But under Trump, anything can happen.
Inside the courtroom, Villazkuys and children sit in the first row of wooden seats. They are waiting for an hour for their role-long enough because the two years of age urinates his pants.
Finally, Judge Villazkuiz asks whether she understands the reason for her presence in court: The government believes that it does not have a legal right in the United States
“Yes”, she calmly answered, adding that she was planning to demand asylum later this summer.
The judge tells her to return in August, this time with a lawyer.
It took only a few minutes for the interaction.
Villazkuys is free to go.
With a little nervousness, Yasilin Valzakuiz and her family arrived at the hearing of the Immigration Court in Santa Anna, California on April 10, 2025.
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After the Immigration Court, Yasilin Valzakuiz guarantees its papers inside its folder, where its documents follow. April 10, 2025. Zaydee Sanchez/NPR
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“I feel victory,” she told NPR after the session, she laughed at her comfortable parking while her children were light on juice and ARPAS.
But their day has not yet ended.
Next is another hourly campaign to register usual checkpoint in Villazkoise with the enforcement of American migration and customs, which must be made every few months in addition to the weekly calls and texts with the agent responsible for the conditional release.
This week, check -in it seems more terrifying. There were reports of migrants ’capture by the agents as they went to the Ice Office. Now, there is a DHS email for anxiety.
Villazkoys enters the office and meets with the appointed agent in her case.
After eight minutes, she came out again, smiling a huge smile.
“Today, my future looks great,” she says.
She was not being held today, but her optimism may be premature.
After a long day, Yasmine Valzkuiz and her family participate in a moment of joy in a parking lot in San Bernadino, California on April 10, 2025. Zaydee Sanchez/NPR
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It has a long way to go in its endeavor to obtain a legal status, and the Trump administration is unpredictable and ready to push the legal boundaries to achieve its goal of deporting millions of people.
But Villazkuys knows that when you live daily in the United States, you win when you can.
“I feel I will be able to have a permanent stay, and who knows, maybe citizenship too!” She says, laugh and smile.