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Huge crowd gathers to protest possible deportation of Ann Arbor woman

Posted at 10:23 PM, Jul 18, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-19 10:00:50-04

Hundreds gathered to rally against the deportation of a woman from Mexico, who has been living for years with her children in Ann Arbor.

The huge crowd marched through the streets of downtown Ann Arbor, carrying signs.

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking in the wake of stepped up illegal immigration enforcement."

Thirteen-year-old Ryan Salazar tells us his mother, Lourdes Salazar Bautista, fears being forced to leave this country.

She's already been instructed by I.C.E. to purchase a one-way ticket to Mexico by August 2.

Salazar's attorney tells us her husband was deported years ago, but the government allowed Lourdes to stay and take care of her 3 kids who are now all U.S. citizens.

Since 1997 Salazar Bautista has lived in the area and the mayor and city council have also rallied around her.

Despite a period of unlawful stay in this country, Lourdes has checked in regularly with immigration and been granted numerous stays year after year.

She says due to a denial in March she has to leave the country by August - unless she's granted another stay.

So far, there’s no word from I.C.E. as far as reversing that decision.

Lourdes says her kids may come with her if she has to leave. She hopes years of working, paying taxes and a love of this country could still help her case.