An Orange County family is disheartened after their parents, who have been in the U.S. for 35 years and have no criminal history, are slated to be deported to Colombia. Hetty Chang reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2025.
The family of a Laguna Niguel couple who’ve been in the U.S. for 35 years say they’re heartbroken over their impending deportation.
Loved ones of Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez say the couple, who recently became grandparents, were taken to a detention center in Louisiana, where they’re facing deportation. Neither individual has a criminal history, yet they’re slated to return to their native Colombia.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement acknowledged that neither Nelson nor Gladys have a criminal history, but said the couple violated immigration laws and have a final order of removal.
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“It breaks my heart because my parents are good people and they don’t deserve this,” Stephanie Gonzalez, the couple’s daughter said.
According to Stephanie, her parents were detained on Feb. 21 during a routine check-in with ICE agents. They’re expected to be deported by the end of the month.
In an effort to help the couple upon their return to Colombia, an online fundraiser has been started.
Rep. Mike Levin, who represents Laguna Niguel, questioned why immigration officers detained the couple.
"If someone has no criminal background or gang affiliation, why are they a priority for deportation?," Levin said in a statement. "This is a waste of resources that should be used to remove dangerous individuals—not break up families and target hardworking people. We need smart, effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes actual criminals, not senseless deportations.”
The move comes as part of President Donald Trump’s commitment to crack down on immigration. Although his administration promised to deport individuals with criminal convictions or pending charges, new ICE data revealed that half of individuals taken into custody have no criminal history.
