Bradley Bartell and Camila Munoz were reunited after she spent 49 days in ICE detention following her mistakenly deportation to El Salvador by U.S. immigration officials. Munoz, a Peruvian woman married to a U.S. citizen, was released on a $3,000 bond as she awaits her immigration court date. The couple’s case gained national attention as Bartell, who voted for President Donald Trump, faced the consequences of the administration’s immigration policies.
The couple’s ordeal began when Munoz was detained by ICE after overstaying a work-study visa during the pandemic lockdown. Despite having no criminal background or pending court date, she was detained and later moved to Louisiana. Bartell, who has full custody of his 11-year-old son, considered moving the family if Munoz was deported.
After nearly six weeks in detention, Munoz was released on bond following a hearing with an immigration judge. Bartell drove through the night to pay the $3,000 bond in person to ensure she did not spend another night locked up. Now free, Munoz plans to help raise money for other detained immigrants to afford basic necessities like food and phone calls.
Their harrowing experience shed light on the complexities and challenges faced by immigrant families under the current immigration system. Munoz hopes that her story will raise awareness about the need for quicker immigration court processes for individuals who are not associated with criminal activity. As they journey back home to Wisconsin, the couple is grateful to be reunited and determined to help others still facing immigration challenges.
