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By Jenna Sundel
News Reporter
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A single dad of six children was deported to Mexico last month after living in the U.S. for more than 34 years, his lawyer told Newsweek.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek that Rosalio Vasquez Meave was arrested on September 15. His attorney, Michelle Edstrom, said he was taking his children to school to drop them off when an ICE vehicle pulled him over and arrested him.
Edstrom said he had a valid work permit and was the sole caretaker of his children, all of whom are U.S. citizens.
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Why It Matters
Immigration enforcement has been a key focus of President Donald Trump’s administration. The Department of Homeland Security announced on December 10 that the agency’s enforcement operations have resulted in more than 605,000 deportations since January 20. The agency said 1.9 million people have voluntarily self-deported since January 2025.
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What To Know
In 2023, Vasquez Meave had applied for a visa under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which also applies to men and parents of U.S. citizen children whose children have been subject to abuse, neglect or abandonment, Edstrom said.
"He was the only caretaker of the children when he dropped them off at school that day, when ICE arrested him. And he had a valid work permit, he also had a valid driver's license. He had what's called a prima facie determination of his VAWA petition, and was just waiting on the final adjudication of that application," Edstrom said.
Edstrom said Vasquez Meave first came into the U.S. in 1990 as a teenager. Edstrom said that after he left in 1999, he thought he was applying for a work visa through an office in Ciudad Juárez, but he was arrested in 2000 when he attempted to enter with that documentation.
"Meave was previously removed to Mexico in 2000. He chose to commit a felony and illegally re-enter the U.S. at an unknown date and location," McLaughlin said.
Edstrom said Vasquez Meave had remained in the U.S. since 2000.
"He was self-employed doing painting and construction-type work. He owned his own home in Oklahoma. He had significant community ties. He had, obviously, family ties through his children. He was trying to go through the process the right way and they picked him up anyway."
Vasquez Meave remained in custody until his deportation last month, Edstrom said. She said he went without his medication for high blood pressure for over two weeks.
"He was not feeling well at all," Edstrom said. "The anxiety of being separated from his children on top of basically going cold turkey off of your high blood pressure medication and anti-anxiety medication was not good on him at all."
Edstrom said his children reunited with Vasquez Meave in Mexico after an elderly family friend helped take care of them.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, told Newsweek that “pending applications do not confer legal status.” She said ICE had reinstated Vasquez Meave’s final order of removal.
McLaughlin said he did not request to have his children removed with him.
“ICE does not separate families," McLaughlin said. "Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates. This is consistent with past administrations immigration enforcement. Parents can take control of their departure with the CBP Home app and reserve the chance to come back the right legal way.”
Edstrom said Vasquez Meave was not given the option of traveling with his children.
What People Are Saying
Michelle Edstrom, Rosalio Vasquez Meave’s attorney, in comments to Newsweek: "He's not a fugitive or a criminal. He was taking his children to school. He had been filing his tax returns. He had valid work authorization. He had a valid driver's license. He was two years into the process. There was no reason to separate him from his children and deport him the way they did."
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, in a statement to Newsweek: “He has received full due process.”
What Happens Next
Edstrom said they have been trying to get congressional assistance for Vasquez Meave’s VAWA petition.
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