For one Brooklyn family, a trip intended to honor the passing of a relative became a year-long descent into a legal and humanitarian crisis. Elaine —whose name has been changed to protect her privacy— is a first-time mother and lifelong American citizen, recalls the moment her life fractured at JFK International Airport on March 7th.
Returning from a trip to Trinidad to handle the estate of her late mother-in-law, Elaine and her fiancé—a green card holder of over 20 years with no criminal record—expected a routine entry. Instead, they were met with a sea of confusion and a “new administration” protocol that turned an inspection into an eleven-hour wait without food or supplies for their infant daughter. By 11:30 PM, Elaine was told her fiancé was being detained. He was held inside the airport for four days without a shower or a lawyer, and then was transferred to the Elizabeth Detention Center in shackles.
The Search for a Lifeline
As the months dragged on, Elaine’s life outside the detention center began to crumble. She lost her job as an office manager due to administrative budget cuts, and with their primary breadwinner behind bars, the family’s finances began to crumble. Elaine spent her days in a desperate cycle of research, calling government offices only to be met with “nasty” responses. Many agencies told her she was “just another case” and suggested she apply for welfare—a move Elaine resisted, fearing a judge would use her need for government help as a justification to deport her fiancé.
The turning point came through sheer persistence. After reaching out to Council Member Rita Joseph’s office, Elaine was finally directed to Fifth Avenue Committee. For the first time in eleven months,” she recalled, “I found an organization that didn’t treat me like a number.” The connection was an emotional breakthrough; after nearly a year of financial, emotional, and mental duress, someone was finally listening.
Advocacy in the Face of Eviction
FAC’s Community Service’s Manager, Yannerys Castillo didn’t just offer sympathy; she provided the “backup” Elaine needed to prevent her family from falling into total ruin. With her fiancé’s name as the only one on the lease and the bills, Elaine was navigating a legal minefield. FAC stepped in as a critical advocate, helping her navigate the complexities of housing court. Because of their intervention, Elaine and her daughter were able to keep the roof over their heads—the same home her fiancé had lived in for 36 years.
The support extended to the most basic necessities of survival. During a period of bitter, inclement weather, Elaine faced “turn-off notices” and eventually had her lights cut off. FAC intervened with utility advocacy, working to restore power and ensure that a mother and her infant weren’t left in the dark and cold while fighting a federal legal battle. “I wasn’t looking for money directly,” Elaine explains. “I just wanted my bills paid and to have my roof over my head.”
A System of “Removal First”
Even with FAC’s support, the legal battle remained harrowing. During one hearing, the judge’s reasoning was chilling: she told Elaine that if she were receiving government assistance like Section 8 or food stamps, it would be “easier” to deport her fiancé because the state would already be providing for the family.
Despite her fiancé having five U.S. citizen children, a 36-year residency, and a dedicated career as a union worker, he was issued a removal order. The system seemed designed to exhaust the family’s spirit and their bank accounts—Elaine had already spent tens of thousands on predatory legal fees and exhausted her 401k. However, bolstered by the advocacy and community stability provided by FAC, Elaine refused to sign the deportation papers.
The Fight for a Home
Today, the scars of the last year run deep. Elaine’s fiancé missed his 50th birthday and his son’s high school graduation. Inside the detention center, his health declined as he was denied proper medication for Graves’ disease.
Yet, Elaine continues to fight. Supported by FAC’s commitment to keeping families together, she remains a constant presence in the offices of her local elected officials. “He is a provider,” she insists. “He is a law-abiding person. I want him to come back to a home that he has lived in for 36 years.”
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