As more deportations take place all over the country, families have been forced to be separated. They now have to say their goodbyes even if they never imagined this day would come. An immigrant ice cream seller has left the community in California heartbroken after he announced that he would be leaving due to deportation. He has been serving the community for 30 years, yet he can’t stay longer. This deportation comes after he was taken by immigration services in 2017. Back then, he spent seven months in an immigration detention center. Despite going through several courts, the poor man and his wife were issued a removal to Mexico. Their hope to stay in the country has been destroyed. The man, named Francisco, has 30 days to appeal the judge’s order. However, he has decided that it was time to leave this “beautiful country.”
Francisco won’t just be leaving behind his California community, but he is also leaving his two daughters behind. He definitely did the best he could do in raising them in America. One of them attends Stanford University, and the other attends Harvey Mudd College. After Francisco’s heartfelt goodbye, people couldn’t let him leave for Mexico without offering help. His daughter set up a GoFundMe for him and her mom with the goal of raising $17.5K. The outcome exceeded the family’s expectations. So far, people have raised over $30K for the family as they prepare to start a new chapter in Mexico. They posted one more video of Francisco, where he appeared emotional as he thanked everyone for their donations and support. Hopefully, this new chapter will be good for them.
People Reacting to the California Ice Cream Seller’s Goodbye
The California community wasn’t the only one left heartbroken by Francisco’s message. People from everywhere sympathized with the family and felt terrible for them. One person believed that America failed Francisco as they said, “This country has failed him . I’m so sorry.” Another person was shocked that anyone would want to see someone like Francisco leave. “THIS is who they want gone?? A hardworking dad simply selling ice cream and wanting better for his kids – this will NEVER make sense to me, I’m so sorry your family has been affected by our god awful government, you didn’t deserve this,” they wrote. One woman also got emotional about how Francisco did everything for his kids. “He basically said, my dream was for my children and he accomplished that. He’s ok with leaving omg,” she said.
Not everyone offered financial help to the California family, as others wanted to assist in different ways. One woman asked if Francisco would need help once he gets to Mexico. “Does he need help in Tijuana? I can help him find resources or get in touch with my dad so he can have someone to help him (my dad would be glad to help, we don’t have money but we have community),” she kindly said. Most people also shared prayers as one person said, “I am so sorry he is being treated like a criminal for a civil offense. He’s seems like a hardworking, caring, and strong individual. We need more like him here in the US. I wish him nothing but a prosperous future in Mexico and that he is able to see your family on a regular basis.” This shows that people can come together and help anyone.
