TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A mother who had been living in Tampa under immigration supervision was recently deported to Cuba. Now, her family and supporters are rallying across the Tampa Bay area, calling on local and federal leaders to help bring her back.

Heydi Sanchez Tejeda’s family said her deportation has devastated them, especially her young daughter.

They said she was in the process of getting her green card when she was deported. When she went for an ICE check-in, she was detained.

Family and friends gathered in Tampa, asking city leaders to help bring Sanchez Tejeda back to the U.S.

Heydi had an outstanding deportation order after missing an immigration hearing in 2019, her attorney told The Associated Press. She was detained for nine months, but because Cuba refused to take her back at the time, she was released in 2020 under an order to check in with ICE regularly. However, this week, when she showed up for what she thought was a routine meeting, she was detained and deported.

“We keep going to Kathy Castor, the mayor’s office, we want to go to Rick Scott’s office too, we want Heydi back, it’s really hard, especially for the kids,” loved ones said to the crowd at the rally.

Her family said the sudden removal has devastated her daughter and shattered the family.

Now, they’re turning their outrage toward elected officials, demanding urgent action.

“We’re here to ask Senator Rick Scott to bring you back. This is a grave injustice. Our baby has not been able to speak, our baby is destroyed,” her aunt Carmen Sanchez said.

We reached out to Senator Rick Scott’s office for comment and have not heard back.