Michigan family fought to stop mom’s sudden deportation. After 20 years, she had to leave

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – A Michigan family tried everything to stop the sudden deportation of their mother.

They spoke with a lawyer. They called state senators. And they reached out to Local 4 to share their story with our viewers.

But on Friday, Irina Sobierajska went to Detroit Metro Airport to head back to Poland, leaving the United States after 20 years.

Her family said they were told she had to leave the country within 48 hours, even though they kept up with her immigration requirements.

“They look at her as a criminal and that’s just the heartbreaking part,” her son, Bernard Sobierajska, said. “She’s never done anything, and she’s just the nicest person in the world. I don’t get it.”

“I feel like people could find it in their hearts to not separate a family who is trying to just live a life like anybody else, and have the same opportunities and work hard,” her daughter, Patrycja Sobierajska, said.

They received a notice last week that Irina Sobierajska’s stay of removal request was denied by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.

“How can you go back to a country you have literally nothing?” Irina Sobierajska said.

She is a Polish citizen who lived in Poland for about 10 years. She’s allowed to work in the U.S. but is currently an unlawful resident because she doesn’t have legal status.

“Her and my dad came to the country to help build a better life and start a strong foundation for my brother and myself,” Patrycja Sobierajska said.

Irina Sobierajska is also the caretaker for her husband, who suffers from diabetes, arthritis, and depression. The family fears his condition will worsen without her.

“He just doesn’t know how he is going to continue his daily life without his wife by his side,” Patrycja Sobierajska said.

“It’s just all unfair,” Bernard Sobierajska said. “I don’t think her case was looked at enough.”

ICE released the following statement about Irina’s case to Local 4:

Irina Sobierajska was ordered removed by an immigration judge in 2014 as she was a visa overstay. She has been afforded due process as she made multiple attempts to appeal that decision with the courts, but the immigration judge’s order of removal still stands. ICE allows aliens to pursue relief from removal but when they exhaust all legal avenues to do so, ICE must carry out the judge’s removal order.

Statement from ICE