The parents of a Chicago teen battling terminal cancer were finally on their way to see their son after being released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody on Friday.
NBC Chicago reported an immigration judge ordered the expedited release of Kevin Gonzalez’s parents, allowing them to travel and reunite with him. Kevin, a U.S. citizen, was diagnosed earlier this year with cancer that has since spread to his stomach and lungs. Doctors have informed him that treatment is no longer an option.
By Friday afternoon, his parents were on the road, with several hours in their journey still to go. A federal judge in Arizona heard their case on Thursday and authorized their expedited removal.
New video showed the couple leaving the Mexican consulate in Nogales, Arizona, headed for Hermosillo. From there, they were expected to catch an emergency flight to Durango, where they plan to see Gonzalez.
In an update Friday, relatives said plans shifted, and Gonzalez’s parents planned to take a bus and would see him on Saturday.
The 18-year-old who grew up in Chicago – is spending his final days in Mexico – but said he wants nothing more than to see his parents again. They were initially deported back in 2011.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Kevin’s mother attempted to re-enter the U.S. on two separate occasions before being caught. The most recent attempt was earlier this year, along with Kevin’s father.
Authorities said they applied for humanitarian parole but were denied. A DHS spokesperson told NBC Chicago they applied for B1/B2 visas, which were denied due to their previous unlawful presence and entries.
The Mexican consulate and multiple lawmakers advocated for the family’s reunion. A federal judge was moved by the father’s plea, granting the parents’ release, which allowed them to make the trip.
