Mon Apr 28 10:30:00 UTC 2025: **Tampa Man Desperately Seeks Wife’s Return After Deportation to Cuba**
TAMPA, FL – Carlos Yunier Valle is pleading for the return of his wife, Heidy Sanchez Tejeda, who was deported to Cuba this week along with dozens of other Cubans. Tejeda, a licensed certified nursing assistant and mother of their 16-month-old daughter, was detained during a routine ICE check-in despite being in the process of applying for a Green Card.
Valle, a U.S. citizen who immigrated from Cuba nearly 20 years ago, says his wife was initially allowed into the U.S. under an Order of Supervision (I-220), meaning she could be deported at any time. After meeting Valle in 2021, they married in 2023 and applied for permanent residency. Despite having a work authorization and holding a steady job as a home health aide, she was deported on Thursday.
Valle expressed his bewilderment and frustration, questioning why his wife, a hardworking family member, was targeted. He claims he was advised against attending the ICE appointment but chose to comply with the legal process. The deportation is reportedly part of “Operation Tidal Wave,” an ICE initiative aiming to deport 800 immigrants, according to the Miami Herald.
While ICE in Tampa could not confirm Tejeda’s location, they stated a team is reviewing her records pending clearance from their D.C. office. Valle fears a lengthy separation from his wife and young child, highlighting the emotional toll of the situation. The case underscores the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policies and the impact on families.
First Piper 