She Gave a Valedictorian Speech in the Spring. Now, She Could Be Deported

Maria Flores Garcia drove to an annual immigration check-in Baltimore that typically took about 30 minutes, unaware that the appointment would end with her transfer to a detention facility in Louisiana alongside her mother.

ICE Detains Maria Flores Garcia

The 19-year-old freshman, who delivered her valedictorian address at Parkdale High School in Prince George’s County less than six months ago, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Maria Flores Garcia was detained by ICE agents at a Baltimore immigration office last week while accompanying her mother, Mirna, for a check-in, according to her partner, Cesar Saavedra.

When immigration officers moved to take her 48-year-old mother into custody, Flores Garcia chose to remain with her. She was detained minutes later.

Flores Garcia came to the United States from El Salvador as a child. During her high school graduation speech, she recalled the challenges of starting over at nine years old, describing how she struggled to understand words and had to wait for someone to translate the simplest instructions. Those early experiences motivated her to excel academically and earn a scholarship to the University of Maryland.

Department of Homeland Security Cites 2021 Removal Order

Federal authorities said that both individuals entered the United States without inspection and were arrested in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas in 2016. According to the Department of Homeland Security, they were placed in removal proceedings and released into the country before an immigration judge issued a final order of removal on February 23, 2021.

“She will remain in ICE custody pending her removal from the United States. This administration will not ignore the rule of law,” a DHS spokesperson told CBS News said, confirming that Flores Garcia will remain in ICE custody pending her removal from the country.

She Gave a Valedictorian Speech in the Spring. Now, She Could Be Deported — Photo: Yahoo

Legal representatives for the family state that both individuals secured formal protection against deportation under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, though whether that status affects the current proceedings remains unclear.

Phone Calls From Detention in Louisiana

The mother and daughter were placed in an ICE detention facility in Louisiana.

I’s here with my mom, so that’s nice. But you look at your surroundings and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, nobody deserves to be here. Especially me.’

Maria Flores Garcia, University of Maryland student, via Hindustan Times

There’s obviously times where I break down because it’s devastating being here, knowing that my life outside is on pause. That I didn’t do anything to be here.

Maria Flores Garcia, University of Maryland student, via CBS News

Flores Garcia also expressed empathy for others held at the facility, pointing out that she is not alone in having no criminal record and noting that millions of stories exist within the cells.

Maryland Leaders Demand Immediate Release

The enforcement action drew sharp criticism from state and local officials. Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy issued a statement declaring that she was outraged and deeply concerned by the detention of the public health major and her mother.

Prince george s county valedictorian detained after baltimore ice check in held in louisiana — Photo: Hoodline

Maryland Governor Wes Moore took to social media to voice his opposition to the operation.

Maria Flores Garcia should be home with her family today. Instead, President Trump’s ICE agents detained Maria – a Marylander, high school valedictorian, and University of Maryland student – as she accompanied her mother to an immigration check-in last week.

Wes Moore, Maryland Governor, via Hindustan Times

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, and U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-District 4, also challenged the enforcement decision. Van Hollen said that the detention exposed the falsehood of federal claims that operations target only individuals with serious criminal records.

“This is just pure cruelty for cruelty's sake. If the President is actually serious about wanting to work with the incoming Democratic majority on an immigration deal, he must end ICE's attacks on our communities and our people like Maria,” Maryland Governor Wes Moore said.

Fundraiser Raises Money for Legal Costs

The fundraiser has successfully raised more than $25,000 to assist with legal costs.

Before her detention, Flores Garcia commuted to classes from her family’s home, maintained her studies with a scholarship, and worked at a nearby elementary school.

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