Florida mother prepares to self-deport with children after husband's ICE detention

Arianna's family faces an uncertain future as she plans to return to Guatemala with her two young sons

Feb. 5, 2026 at 5:07pm

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Arianna, an undocumented immigrant living in Bonita Springs, Florida, is preparing to self-deport to Guatemala with her two young sons after her husband was detained and deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in January. Arianna was left as the sole breadwinner and caretaker for the family, and she says she is making the difficult decision to return to Guatemala so her children can be with their father, even though the family's future there is uncertain.

Why it matters

This story highlights the growing trend of self-deportation among undocumented immigrant families in the U.S. as a result of increased immigration enforcement efforts under the current administration. It also sheds light on the immediate financial and emotional challenges faced by families who suddenly lose a primary breadwinner due to deportation.

The details

Arianna's husband was detained and deported by ICE within a week, leaving Arianna as the sole provider for their family. She is now preparing to self-deport to Guatemala with her two young sons, even though the family's future there is uncertain. Arianna says she is making this difficult decision so her children can be with their father, but she worries about how they will support themselves once they return to Guatemala.

  • In January 2026, Arianna's husband was detained and deported by ICE within a week.
  • Two weeks ago, Arianna began preparing to self-deport to Guatemala with her two young sons.

The players

Arianna

An undocumented immigrant living in Bonita Springs, Florida, who is preparing to self-deport to Guatemala with her two young sons after her husband was detained and deported by ICE.

Arianna's husband

Arianna's husband, who was detained and deported by ICE in January 2026, leaving Arianna as the sole breadwinner and caretaker for their family.

Voices of Bonita

A local grassroots organization in Bonita Springs that launched a $100 emergency grant program to help families facing sudden financial crises after losing a breadwinner due to deportation.

Ajpaal Kalyanmasih

The co-founder of Voices of Bonita, who recognizes the modest grants provided by the organization as critical relief for families in crisis.

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What they’re saying

“Children need their father. I'm doing this because they need him emotionally. I'm doing this for my family.”

— Arianna (WLRN)

“In a situation like that, any support — emotional or financial is very welcome. I felt grateful.”

— Arianna (WLRN)

“As soon as someone loses a breadwinner, they need money right away. So, why don't we give them $100 bucks right in their hands? They can pay rent or buy food.”

— Ajpaal Kalyanmasih, Co-founder of Voices of Bonita (WLRN)

“When she got the $100 and then we started talking to her, she realized that there are people that are giving her some hope.”

— Ajpaal Kalyanmasih, Co-founder of Voices of Bonita (WLRN)

What’s next

Arianna and her family are preparing to self-deport to Guatemala in the coming weeks, but the details of how they will support themselves once they return are still uncertain.

The takeaway

This story highlights the human impact of increased immigration enforcement, as families like Arianna's are forced to make the difficult choice between staying in the U.S. without a primary breadwinner or returning to their home countries with an uncertain future. The emergency assistance program launched by Voices of Bonita provides a model for how local communities can offer critical support to families in crisis.