Xiomara Suarez came to the U.S. on asylum in December 2022. The 28-year-old spoke with Eyewitness News Thursday from the Adelanto Detention Center where she's been held since September.
"I've been following all the steps, all the rules," she said. "Trying to do everything as clear as we can, but they just don't care. They just took me, and I'm here two months and a half already."
Suarez said she was targeted in Peru due to her sexuality.
"I've been running from my country. I was stalked and persecuted because I am lesbian. I thought this country will help me a little more at least," she said.
Suarez had applied for a marital green card. Her wife, Grazi Chiosque, said they were waiting for Suarez's appointment when Suarez was suddenly detained when she went in for a scheduled appointment on her asylum.
"We just want to start building our life," said Chiosque. "We were trying to do that, following all the steps, and it's very, very hard."
The couple says Suarez is now stuck between the judge on her asylum case and the judge on the green card case, who both say the other has jurisdiction.
"Nobody wants to take responsibility, and they want to keep her detained, not able to do a process for the green card," said Chiosque.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the newlyweds as their legal bills mount. After getting married in February, all they want is to put this all behind them.
"I really hope I can get released soon and go back home and see my wife and start our life together," said Suarez.
Suarez's next hearing is scheduled for January.