SAN BENITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A San Benito mother with two U.S. service member children is being threatened with deportation.

Juana Melendez is scheduled to be deported after living in South Texas for 25 years. Melendez is a small business owner and has raised her children in the United States.

In November 2024, Melendez submitted a military parole-in-place application and was denied in June. In this notice, she was informed that she had 33 days to submit an appeal or risk voluntary removal from the country.

Melendez and her immigration attorney have since submitted the appeal and are awaiting a response from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

ValleyCentral spoke with the family on Thursday, who said their mother was detained during a hearing. While she was not deported, s

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