Bradley Bartell and Camila Muñoz had a Bradley Bartell and Camila Muñoz’s love story seemed like the quintessential small-town romance. They met through mutual friends, had their first date at the local steakhouse, and got married after two years. Muñoz had even taken on a maternal role with Bartell’s 12-year-old son from a previous relationship. However, their lives took a drastic turn when they returned from their honeymoon in Puerto Rico.
As they made their way through the airport, an immigration agent pulled Muñoz aside and asked if she was an American citizen. When she replied that she wasn’t, the agent’s inquiry marked the beginning of a challenging journey for the couple. Muñoz, who is from Peru, had already initiated the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship, but her application was still under review.
Unfortunately, Muñoz’s experience is not an isolated incident. The Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts have expanded to include immigrants whose applications for legal status are pending. This shift has resulted in the detention of individuals who are married or engaged to U.S. citizens, including Muñoz.
Several cases have been documented, including a woman in her 50s who has lived in the U.S. for over 30 years and is married to a U.S. citizen. Another case involves a woman in her 30s with valid permanent legal residency, whose father and siblings are U.S. citizens. A European woman in her 30s, engaged to a U.S. citizen, was also detained for overstaying her visa when she was 21.
These detentions have sparked concerns about the Trump administration’s immigration policies and their impact on families and individuals. The situation highlights the complexities and challenges faced by those navigating the U.S. immigration system. on
