California leaders push for return of deported deaf boy to Bay Area

6-year-old Joseph Rodriguez, who is deaf, was deported to Colombia with his mother and brother, prompting calls for their return to access critical medical care and education.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:22am by Ben Kaplan

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A 6-year-old deaf boy named Joseph Rodriguez was deported to Colombia along with his mother, Lesly Ramirez Gutierrez, and younger brother after Ramirez Gutierrez visited an ICE office in San Francisco. State education leaders are now pushing for the family's return to the Bay Area, where Joseph was attending the California School for the Deaf in Fremont. Joseph's attorney has filed a humanitarian parole petition, arguing the family faces danger in Colombia and that Joseph's cochlear implants require ongoing medical care to prevent serious health risks.

Why it matters

The sudden deportation of Joseph, a deaf student with strong ties to the Bay Area, has shocked the local school community and raised concerns about the family's safety and Joseph's ability to access the specialized medical care and education he needs.

The details

Joseph, his mother Lesly Ramirez Gutierrez, and his 4-year-old brother were living in Hayward, California before being deported last week after Ramirez Gutierrez went to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in San Francisco to submit a new photo. The family's attorney has filed a humanitarian parole petition, arguing they face danger in Colombia and that Joseph's cochlear implants require ongoing medical care to prevent serious health risks such as infection and meningitis.

  • Joseph, his mother, and brother were deported last week.
  • The family's attorney filed a humanitarian parole petition at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday.

The players

Joseph Rodriguez

A 6-year-old deaf boy who was deported to Colombia with his mother and brother.

Lesly Ramirez Gutierrez

Joseph's mother, who fled Colombia in 2022 to escape gender-based violence.

Tony Thurmond

The State Superintendent of Public Instruction who submitted a letter to the Department of Homeland Security requesting that Joseph and his family be allowed to return to California.

Amy Novotny

The superintendent of the California School for the Deaf in Fremont, where Joseph was a student.

Nikolas De Bremaeker

The family's attorney who filed a humanitarian parole petition arguing the family faces danger in Colombia and that Joseph's health is at risk.

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What they’re saying

“Joseph had the opportunity to speak with one of his teachers, and it certainly seemed to lift his spirits. We saw a bright smile. Joseph said, 'I want to come back to school.' Let's make this possible.”

— Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

“Joseph is funny, friendly and well-liked by his peers. Our community here really feels for all of our students. Our students are very important to us. When there's an impact on one, it impacts us all.”

— Amy Novotny, Superintendent, California School for the Deaf in Fremont

“Because of his cochlear implants, if he doesn't get the treatment he needs, doctors say he's at risk of infection, meningitis and death.”

— Nikolas De Bremaeker, Family's attorney

What’s next

The judge will decide on the humanitarian parole petition filed by the family's attorney, which could allow Joseph, his mother, and brother to return to the Bay Area.

The takeaway

This case highlights the human impact of immigration policies, as the sudden deportation of a deaf child with special medical needs has disrupted his education and access to critical care, underscoring the need for compassionate solutions that prioritize the wellbeing of vulnerable individuals.