Activists and Lawyers Demand Return of Deported Mexican Woman Despite Legal Status

Activists and lawyers are demanding the immediate return of Jessica Treviño Villegas to the United States. The Mexican woman was deported despite having valid DACA status until April 2027. Treviño is the mother of three U.S. citizens and lived in Alamo, Texas. The organization La Unión del Pueblo Entero, LUPE, maintains that her expulsion was illegal.

Her attorneys filed a petition with a federal court in the Southern District of Texas. The document requests that the government authorize her immediate return to the country. The case comes as concerns grow over arrests and deportations of DACA beneficiaries. Civil organizations fear that having active protection no longer guarantees avoiding detention.

Why Was Jessica Treviño Deported?

Treviño arrived in the United States from Mexico when she was 7 years old. Since then, she lived in Texas and built her family and work life there. According to LUPE, she renewed her DACA every two years and met all required conditions. She also held work authorization linked to the program.

The organization states that immigration agents detained and deported her in March. At that time, her protection was supposed to remain valid until April 2027. After her expulsion, authorities issued a notice to terminate her DACA. The stated reason was an alleged «unauthorized travel» outside the United States.

Activists and lawyers demand the return to the U.S. of Jessica Treviño Villegas, a DACA beneficiary deported to Mexico despite having valid protection until 2027, while denouncing an increase in expulsions of those covered by the program.

Photo: AP pic.twitter.com/gRKsPedzP8

— N+ UNIVISION (@nmasunivision) August 4, 2026

The defense rejects that justification. Her attorneys argue that Treviño did not leave voluntarily, but was deported by the government itself. «No family should have to go through what we have gone through,» Treviño said in a statement released by LUPE. She also asked to return to her children.

LUPE characterized the case as an unjust family separation. The organization said Treviño worked in her community and diligently renewed her documents. Tania Chávez, president of LUPE, stated that the same agency that caused the separation is now trying to withdraw her immigration protection. The activist described the action as cruel and illegal.

What Is DACA and What Protection Does It Offer?

DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The program was created in 2012 during the Barack Obama administration. Its purpose is to temporarily protect against deportation certain people who arrived in the United States as minors. It also allows individuals to apply for work authorization.

However, DACA does not grant permanent residency or citizenship. It also does not represent a permanent immigration status, according to USCIS. The protection must be renewed every two years. USCIS recommends submitting the renewal between 120 and 150 days before the expiration date.