Washington, DC – Paula Colleges were trying to expand their swimsuit business in Florida after taking time to take care of their sick father in Canada before their death. Instead of celebrating the fashion line, Canadian was taken in immigration and customs enforcement of the United States.
The family of the 45 -year -old family said that their finance is being increased as they try to navigate misleading and difficult legal and immigration systems in the United States.
“She was very strong, very strong,” said her mother Maria Estella Cano. “Now every day, she (she cries), every day and (says) she can’t take it anymore.”
US President Donald Trump has increased exile efforts since returning to the White House in January after successfully campaigning on the promise of taking strict action on illegal immigration.
The immigration crack includes controversial action such as targeting students to protest, as well as sending people to a notorious jail in Al Salvador. There is an increase in raids by immigration and customs enforcement of the United States in restaurants and fields amidst dramatic deadlock with protesters.
While Trump’s team has said that they are targeting criminals first, they also said that anyone in the country will be illegally deported.
Callejas were born and raised in Montreal, when her family came from Colombia. She started her swimsuit line and gaining momentum in Canada around 2012, but her father stopped her dreams to help her when she became unwell.
After his father’s death of 2020, the collegies resumed their efforts to create a swimsuit company. The family said that it did some runway shows in Florida over the years and saw that there was a real opportunity for the development of her fashion line in the state. He was even invited to participate in Miami Swim Week last year.
He bought property in Florida, his mother said, and lived a minor life while working to make the brand.
The family said they believe that it was for people with special skills on a non-migrant visa in the United States who were scheduled to end in March. He said that he had applied for an extension in February, but was refused for a technical reason around the ink color used to sign the document.
The family said that the colleges re -implemented it thinking that the issue was resolved.
On March 28, the college was arrested for a battery when the family said there was a dispute with the then lover. The family says that the college maintains its innocence in the situation and said that she is defending herself.
After posting the bail, his family said the colleges were taken into snow custody.
An ICE spokesperson said Callejas entered the United States on a non-migrant visitor visa and violated its entry conditions. Ice said that he would “be in custody when his immigration proceedings are completed.”
Cano said that his daughter’s custody had been a “nightmare” for the family.
“Every time I open my eyes, it is not real life,” Cano said, holding tears.
The family said Callejas have been transferred to at least three different facilities. Finance is being abolished as they try to get legal representation. He said that a lawyer cost only US $ 5,000 to do paperwork.
As the colleges have spent more time in custody, his mental health is also suffering, the family said.
Cainos said she wants her daughter to have a proper opportunity to defend herself in court. His next attendance for criminal charges is on Monday.
Cano said that when this is resolved, they want the colleges to leave the United States according to their own so that they can complete their visa application from Canada and continue their dreams of a swimwear line.
Global Affairs Canada said that it could not give information about special cases due to the concerns of secrecy.
The department said that on June 27, about 55 Canadians were detained with snow. The number of cases in recent months remains relatively stable, it has been said, although it is ups and downs because cases are resolved and new cases arise.
49 -year -old Canadian citizen Johnny Novelo died in snow custody in South Florida in June.
Officials said Noviello was being detained to remove pending from the US. Officials said they entered the US on a legal visa in 1988 and became a valid permanent resident in 1991. He was convicted for drug trafficking and other allegations in 2023 and sentenced to one year in prison, said by officials.
Officials said Noviello was raised by ice agents in his probation office last month and was accused of removing their drug sentence.
External Affairs Minister Anita Anand said on social media at that time that “Canadian consular officials are seeking more information from American officials.”
This report of Canadian Press was first published on 19 July 2025.
Kelly Geraldin Malon, Canadian Press
