Hayward Deaf Boy Deported to Colombia with Family

ICE says the family failed to comply with immigration orders, sparking outrage from California officials

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported a Hayward mother, Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez, and her two sons, including a 6-year-old deaf boy named Joseph, to Colombia. The family was arrested during a routine immigration check-in in San Francisco and was ordered removed from the country in 2024 after entering the U.S. without authorization in 2022. The deportation has sparked outrage from California officials who are calling for the family's return.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement, especially when it involves vulnerable populations like children and those with special needs. The deportation of the deaf child has raised concerns about the treatment of immigrant families and whether ICE is considering the best interests of the children involved.

The details

According to ICE, Rodriguez Gutierrez and her sons entered the U.S. without legal authorization in 2022 and were ordered removed by an immigration judge in 2024. When Rodriguez Gutierrez failed to comply with reporting requirements, ICE arrested her in San Francisco on March 3, 2026 and deported the family to Colombia on March 5. Rodriguez Gutierrez's attorney said she was never given a choice about the deportation and that her request to allow relatives to bring hearing devices for her deaf son was denied during the arrest.

  • Rodriguez Gutierrez and her sons entered the U.S. without authorization on April 6, 2022.
  • An immigration judge ordered the family removed from the country in 2024.
  • ICE arrested Rodriguez Gutierrez in San Francisco on March 3, 2026.
  • The family was deported to Colombia on March 5, 2026.

The players

Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez

A 28-year-old Colombian national who was deported with her two sons, including a deaf 6-year-old.

Joseph

The 6-year-old deaf son of Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez who was attending the California School for the Deaf in Fremont before the deportation.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that arrested Rodriguez Gutierrez and deported her family to Colombia.

Nikolas De Bremaeker

The attorney representing Rodriguez Gutierrez who said she was never given a choice about the deportation.

Tony Thurmond

The California Superintendent of Public Instruction who criticized the deportation and called for the family's return.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'Ms. Rodriguez Gutierrez was never given a choice to be removed, and never agreed to deportation.'”

— Nikolas De Bremaeker, Attorney (Centro Legal de la Raza)

“'No child should be ripped from their home community and hidden in a detention center, especially not a Deaf child who is being deprived of the ability to communicate and understand what is happening to him.'”

— Tony Thurmond, California Superintendent of Public Instruction (N/A)

“'To the child we have returned his sound, but to our nation, what has happened to our soul.'”

— Eric Swalwell, U.S. Representative (N/A)

What’s next

Rep. Eric Swalwell said his staff has traveled to Colombia to deliver hearing aids to the deaf boy, but California officials are calling for the family to be returned to the U.S.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and often heartbreaking consequences of immigration enforcement, especially when it involves vulnerable populations like children with special needs. It raises questions about whether ICE is adequately considering the best interests of families and children in its deportation decisions.