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Mexico advising its citizens in the U.S. to take precautions after Phoenix woman was deported

Posted at 10:27 PM, Feb 10, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-11 00:28:40-05

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) -- Mexico is advising its citizens in the United States to take precautions after a woman in Arizona was deported on Wednesday. 

Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos' deportation case sparked protests in Phoenix.

MORE: Deported mother holds press conference in Mexico

Her husband, who did not want to be identified, says he knew his wife's case would be difficult under the Trump administration. 

"My wife is not a threat to the United States. She is a great person," he said. "She is a good citizen regardless of her status. We are a normal family, just like any other American family."

Immigration lawyers say under the Obama administration Garcia de Rayos' case wasn't a priority, but they believe that may have changed with President Trump. According to the Pew Research Center there are an estimated 35,000 undocumented immigrants in the Tucson area. 

"People will be less inclined to show up, people will be less inclined to communicate with law enforcement, local law enforcement especially," said attorney Maurice Goldman.
 
Another Tucson immigration lawyer, Selma Taljanovic, does not know the details of Garcia de Rayos' case but says there is no quick and easy way for her to come back to the U.S. 
 
Taljanovic says she is telling clients to continue to follow the law and go to scheduled appointments, and to carry proper documentation with them at all times.
 
The Consulate of Mexico in Tucson says it takes about 100 appointments a day between scheduled meetings and walk-ins. A spokesperson for the office says the priority now is letting immigrants know their rights and that the office can assist them with things like paperwork, getting a passport, etc. 
 
There is a 24/7 hotline available for those that need help at (855) 463 - 6395. 
 
Advocates for stricter immigration laws support the recent deportation of Garcia de Rayos. ICE released the following statement:
"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officers removed Ms. Garcia to Mexico Thursday morning shortly before 10 a.m. MST through the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) coordinated her repatriation closely with Mexican consular representatives.
 
Ms. Garcia, who has a prior felony conviction in Arizona for criminal impersonation, was the subject of a court-issued removal order that became final in July 2013. Ms. Garcia's immigration case underwent review at multiple levels of the immigration court system, including the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the judges held she did not have a legal basis to remain in the U.S.  ICE will continue to focus on identifying and removing individuals with felony convictions who have final orders of removal issued by the nation's immigration courts."

<strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);">MORE: Deported mother holds press conference in Mexico</strong>