Floricel Liborio is an indigenous woman from Guerrero, Mexico. At the age of 18, she arrived in San Jose, California and soon after met the man who would become her husband. Together, they formed a beautiful family that includes three children: two daughters and a son.

Floricel and her husband worked tirelessly to provide for their family, working multiple jobs to make ends meet. This was especially necessary as her youngest daughter was born with a speech and language impairment that requires extensive support and advocacy from Floricel. Her impairment has affected her ability to learn, move physically, and develop mentally, causing her to be entirely dependent on Floricel to survive.

In 2012, Floricels' husband was deported to Mexico. This had a long-lasting impact on the family and forced Floricel to become the sole breadwinner and head of the household. 

The stress of having multiple jobs, being a single parent, and navigating the education system so that her youngest daughter could get all the support she needed with her speech and learning impairment led to Floricel making mistakes she regrets. She turned to drinking to cope with all the stress, which led to her getting two DUI convictions. Floricel regrets her mistakes, and despite completing all court requirements including completing a rehabilitation program, ICE arrested her in 2017.

Unfortunately, Floricel’s story is not unique.

One Sunday morning, while leaving an IHOP, Floricel and her children were stopped by ICE agents, and she was arrested on the spot. Her biggest concern was her children. She had no family in the US besides a friend who took in her children while she was in ICE detention.

Although she was terrified of a future without her children due to her possibility of being deported, Floricel continued to fight for her release from detention. After almost one year in ICE detention, Floricel’s prayers were finally answered and she reunited with her children. She went back to working multiple jobs, such as selling tamales, to begin rebuilding her family's life. She also began to attend church daily, seeking community and support that she desperately needed. It is there that she also began to share her story and how she overcame multiple obstacles through her faith. 

Floricel’s faith has been a critical factor in where she is today. It is at her church where she found the support she had been looking for, and now she gives back to her community by supporting other people in need. Along with attending church daily, she also attends AA meetings on a regular weekly basis. She takes pride in her commitment to sobriety and helps young folks who struggle with addiction by taking them to AA meetings on a weekly basis. Floricel has also become very active in organizing and advocacy work and continues to share her story of being detained by ICE to build public awareness on family separation. 

7 years after ICE arrested her, Floricel is still at risk of deportation despite her rehabilitation, complying with all ICE requirements, and incredible contributions to the community around her. She has come a very long way from the days when she felt alone, with no support, to where she is today: thriving and being an active leader and activist. Floricel is needed by her children, peers, and community, so we must come together to stop her deportation by helping her get granted prosecutorial discretion.