Ann Arbor man faces deportation to Mexico after 18 years in US

Jose Luis Sanchez-Ronquillo faces deportation to Mexico

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The battle over American immigration policy is being fought in Detroit, as Jose Luis Sanchez-Ronquillo is set to be heard Tuesday in federal court.

One or two bus coaches are expected to leave on Tuesday from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor and head to Downtown Detroit in support of Sanchez-Ronquillo, who faces deportation.

Sanchez-Ronquillo came to the United States 18 years ago from Mexico. He works as a cook in an Ann Arbor restaurant.

Sanchez-Ronquillo met Guisela Anguiano, and they had two children. They have quietly lived in Ann Arbor with annual visits to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, which hadn't been interested in deporting him until last month, when ICE cited him as an unlawfully present national of Mexico.

Sanchez-Ronquillo was arrested, and his deportation to Mexico was set into motion.

Anguiano, through an interpreter, said she was heartbroken.

"It's terrible," Anguiano said. "I will be required to take care of house expenses and the children myself."

During lunch hour Monday at Pioneer High School, students gathered to discuss their planned protest on Tuesday.

But ICE has a less sympathetic account, saying in 1998, they allowed Sanchez-Ronquillo to voluntarily depart the U.S. twice, and later he unlawfully re-entered the county without authorization.

In 2012, an immigration judge ordered him removed from the country, a ruling that was upheld after an appeal to the board of immigration appeals.

Finally, after being allowed to remain free from custody in order to finalize his departure plans, having failed to do so in a timely manner, ICE arrested Sanchez-Ronquillo on April 19.

His 14-year-old son, Jose, doesn't understand.

"I was just trying to know what was going on, because he didn't do anything in the United States," Jose said.

The hearing is set for noon Tuesday. Local 4 will have full coverage of the hearing.


About the Authors:

Rod Meloni is an Emmy Award-winning Business Editor on Local 4 News and a Certified Financial Plannerâ„¢ Professional.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.