Ambrocio led Iglesia de Santidad Vida Nueva, a small Hispanic congregation in Wimauma, Florida, where he was known for his dedication and stability in the community. He arrived in the United States illegally at age 15, fleeing Guatemala in search of a better life. For years, he remained under a stay of removal, requiring yearly check-ins with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and stayed out of legal trouble.

Detained During Routine ICE Check-In Visit

In mid-April 2025, during a routine check-in with federal officials in Tampa, Ambrocio was unexpectedly detained by ICE officers. Until that point, his status had allowed him to stay with his wife and children while reporting regularly to authorities. His arrest marked a startling turn for the Ambrocio family, who believed they were complying with all legal requirements.

ICE later included Ambrocio among 100 Guatemalan nationals deported on a charter flight from New Orleans. The agency confirmed his illegal presence in the U.S. but offered little additional information or context for the decision. Upon landing in Guatemala, Ambrocio was able to contact his family and access reintegration services provided by the authorities there.

Speaking from his home country, Ambrocio said he lost around 24 pounds during his time held in federal custody and described the conditions as difficult. He expressed disappointment over the process and said he believes people like him deserve a chance for legal reentry. “I don't think we deserved that because we are not bad people or criminals,” he said. “But that time is over.”

Family Left Behind Faces New Hardships

The sudden deportation has left Ambrocio’s wife, Marleny, struggling with uncertainty as she now cares for their five children, ages 12 to 19, without their father. All of the children are U.S. citizens. Marleny voiced her concerns, asking, “How are we going to eat? How are we going to pay the bills?”

His eldest daughter, Ashley Ambrocio, 19, said the family was devastated by the situation but relieved her father was no longer in federal custody. “We were very worried about his health,” she added. “But also relieved that my father is no longer in prison and is a free man.”

Ambrocio's case has become symbolic of the broader experiences of non-criminal immigrants who have been swept up in recent increases in deportation efforts. Despite his long history in the country, U.S. policy did not offer protection for Ambrocio or a legal path to remain or return.

National Enforcement Trends Increasing Pressure

The deportation happened amid growing political pressure to escalate immigration enforcement. The Biden administration has sought to remove up to 3,000 undocumented immigrants per day, with an annual target of over 1 million removals nationwide. This includes people with no criminal history who have lived in the U.S. for decades.

The Ambrocio family is not alone in experiencing the consequences of these efforts. Among others affected is Cesar Reyes, a Guatemalan advisor in Oklahoma who was deported this year after fighting his removal for over a decade. Reyes expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of due process and an absence of options to return legally to his family.

In Los Angeles, five members of an Iranian Christian group were detained in late June, including a couple seeking asylum. Earlier in the year, deportation notices were sent to roughly two dozen Afghan Christian refugees from a church in North Carolina.

Faith Communities Struggle to Respond

The rising number of church-affiliated immigrants facing detention and removal has deeply affected religious organizations across the country. Pastor Ara Torosian of Cornerstone Church in Los Angeles compared recent immigration operations to oppressive regimes, saying, “They came here for freedom, not like this.”

In Raleigh, North Carolina, members of the Church of the Apostles continue appealing to lawmakers for help on pending deportation cases among their members. Seminary student Julie Tisdale said she and others had contacted senators, congressmen, and administration officials to no avail. “We have yet to find anybody willing to be the champion for this,” she said.

As faith-based communities rally to protect and assist their members, situations like Ambrocio’s underscore what many see as an inconsistency in U.S. policy — offering the appearance of due process while still separating families and deporting long-term residents.

Uncertain Future for Pastor Ambrocio

Back in Guatemala, Ambrocio now faces the challenge of rebuilding his life after two decades in the U.S. He remains concerned about the future of his wife and children, who must now move forward without his physical presence or financial support.

Though his removal is final for now, his family hopes that someone with political clout might intervene or push for future reform. In the meantime, they are left dealing with the jagged aftermath of a sudden and painful separation.

Ambrocio’s community in Wimauma continues to hold him in their prayers, unsure if or when their pastor and friend might return. For now, his deportation stands as one of many similar stories unfolding across the nation, each representing both a policy action and a personal loss.