Montrealist Paula Callejas tried to expand her swimsuit business in Florida before taking a leave of absence to take care of her sick father in Canada before he died.
Rather than celebrating the fashion line, Canadians were taken to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention.
The 45-year-old family said their financial situation is being extended as they try to drive the chaotic and difficult legal and immigration system in the United States.
“She’s very strong, very strong,” said her mother, Maria Estella Cano. “Now, every day she (cry), every day, (say) she can’t accept it anymore.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has stepped up his deportation efforts since returning to the White House in January since his massive campaign for illegal immigration.
Immigration crackdowns include controversial actions such as protests against students and sending people to the notorious prison in El Salvador.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have increased due to a dramatic impasse with protesters, called ICE, called ICE.
Trump’s team said they were targeting criminals first, but they also said anyone in the country would be deported.
Family said
Callejas was born and raised in Montreal after immigrating from Colombia. She started her own swimsuit line in Canada around 2012 and was working hard, but when her father became uncomfortable, she paused her dream to help him take care of him.
After his father passed away in 2020, Kalejas reopened his efforts to build a swimsuit company. The family said she has done several runway shows in Florida over the years and has seen her fashion series have real chances to grow in the state.
Last year, she was even invited to Miami Swimming Week.
Her mother said she bought real estate in Florida and lived a modest life while building the brand.
The family said they believe her non-immigrant visa in the United States is for people with special skills that will expire in March. They said she applied for an extension in February but was denied due to technical reasons for the ink color used to sign the document.
The family of Canadians detained by U.S. immigration and customs enforcement said they were angry at the treatment of their loved ones and fought for release. Canadians are currently in detention centres, according to Canadian Global Affairs.
The family said Callejas reapplyed for the issue and believed the issue had been resolved.
On March 28, Callejas was arrested after his family said they had an argument with her then-boyfriend. The family said Kalejas kept her innocence in this situation and said she was defending herself.
After bail, her family said Kalejas was detained.
A spokesman for ICE said Callejas entered the U.S. on a non-immigrant visitor visa and violated her admission terms. ICE said she will “will remain in custody until the immigration lawsuit is completed.”
Kano said her daughter’s detention was a family “nightmare”.
“Every time I open my eyes, it’s not real life,” Kano said, stopping the tears.
Family members said Kalejas had moved to at least three different facilities. Finance is exhausted when it tries to get legal representation. They said only one attorney submitted paperwork, which cost $5,000.
Family members say that as Kalejas spends more time in detention, her mental health is also suffering.
Kanos said she hopes her daughter will have a chance to defend herself in court. Her next criminal charge was Monday.
When the problem is resolved, they hope Callejas will leave the U.S. alone so that she can complete her visa application from Canada and continue to dream of a swimsuit route, Kano said.
Canada Global Affairs said it could not provide information about a specific case due to privacy concerns.
About 55 Canadians were detained, ICE said.
The department said on June 27 that there were about 55 Canadians detained by ICE. It said the number of cases has remained relatively stable in recent months, but it will fluctuate as the case is resolved and new cases appear.
Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen, was detained on the ice in Florida in June.
Officials said Novello was detained before evacuation from the United States. Officials said he entered the U.S. with a statutory visa in 1988 and became a legal permanent resident in 1991. He was found guilty of drug trafficking and other charges in 2023 and sentenced to one year in prison.
Authorities say Novello was taken over by an ICE agent last month at his probation office and was charged with removable for his drug conviction.
Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on social media at the time: “Canadian consular officials are eager to seek more information from U.S. officials.”
