SoCal father of US Navy sailor out of ICE custody, reunited with family
SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- The Orange County father of a U.S. Navy sailor who spent months in ICE custody is now back home with his family.
The father of five spent nearly six months in a federal detention center. Mauricio Prado says it was a terrifying experience, and added that trauma continues as his future remains uncertain.
"I feel very happy and very emotional as well because we should never have been going through this situation in the first place," said Kristal Navarro, Prado's daughter.
The 45-year-old father says his family means everything to him.
Prado was detained outside of a Santa Ana Home Depot in October as he was picking up supplies for work.
He came to the U.S from Mexico at 17 and once tried to fix his status, but couldn't afford the fees.
His son Jacob, who serves in the Navy, was advocating for his father through a program known as Parole in Place, which grants temporary legal status and work authorization to immediate family members of U.S. service members.
"He's fighting for his country just for them to take his dad away... For me that's just very heartbreaking," Navarro added.
She said her father has no criminal record and, as the sole breadwinner, has always been focused on work and his family.
Prado says all he wants is to be able to support those he loves as best he can.
"Give him (the) opportunity to work because my husband is... he's the best," said his wife, Beatriz.
Prado and his family said they are remaining positive and hoping their attorney will be able to help get status in the U.S. He's due in federal court in two weeks.
