Congressman Vicente Gonzalez Sends Letter to ICE, Attempts to Delay Deportation of South Texas Business Owner, Mother of TWO U.S. Service Members

August 7, 2025 Press Release SAN BENITO, TEXAS - Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez announced that he sent a letter to Juan Agudelo, ICE Field Office Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations, urging the agency to provide Juana Melendez additional time to submit a new Military Parole-in-Place application which would delay her deportation. With the assistance of her immigration attorney, she submitted an appeal that is awaiting a decision by USCIS. Ms. Melendez is currently scheduled to be deported after living in South Texas for 25 years, owning a small landscaping business, and raising her children, two of which are proud active-duty U.S. service members. “This is shameful and deeply un-American,” said Congressman Gonzalez . “The Trump Administration’s mass deportation policies are not only causing economic harm to our communities, they are now breaking military families apart. We cannot deport families of American heroes that pay taxes and contribute positively to our community. Her children are dutifully serving our country, her small business is providing growth and opportunities for our community, how can anyone truly justify this?” Read the full letter HERE . ### Issues : Border & Trade Economy Veterans & Our Military