Alabama Father's Deportation to Mexico After Cannabis Offences Splits Family
A young immigrant father has confessed to the offences that led to his deportation to Mexico, compelling him to abandon his fiancée and infant son in Alabama. Alfonso 'Fonzie' Andrade Jr., aged 26, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during July when he attended a scheduled meeting with his probation officer.
Criminal History and Probation Violation
Andrade faced arrest for possession of marijuana initially in 2020, followed by another similar charge in 2021. He was completing his probation term when ICE detained him, occurring amidst the stringent immigration enforcement measures of the previous Trump administration. Reflecting on his actions, Andrade stated to AL.com, 'That was really stupid on my part. I knew I could go to jail, but I didn't think they would send me to another country.'
Life in the United States and Legal Status Challenges
The young father arrived in the United States as a one-year-old child, growing up in the small community of Blountsville, Alabama. He discovered his non-citizen status only when attempting to apply for a driver's licence, unable to proceed due to lacking a Social Security number. Andrade eventually sought protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme but failed to maintain his renewal, citing financial constraints as the primary reason.
Voluntary Departure and Family Separation
In October, an immigration judge granted him voluntary departure status, leading Andrade to return to Mexico. This decision forced him to leave behind his 21-year-old fiancée, Bralie Chandler, and their one-year-old son, Glen. Chandler revealed to AL.com that Andrade served as the main financial provider for their family, and she harbours guilt over their shared marijuana use during his arrests.
'I just feel really guilty because I feel like obviously, all of this could have been prevented if we were not smoking marijuana,' she expressed. 'It just makes me feel really bad. Especially knowing that the two possession of marijuana charges could stop him from being able to get citizenship.'
Financial Struggles and Emotional Toll
Chandler described the profound emotional impact of separation from her son's father, compounded by financial hardships as she endeavours to cover Andrade's citizenship pathway expenses. 'It's thousands and thousands of dollars. Realistically, nobody around here has that much money. I don't have that much money,' she admitted. To address these costs, she initiated a GoFundMe campaign aimed at raising funds for legal fees.
Life in Mexico and Longing for Alabama
Currently residing in Mexico with his father, who was previously deported during the Obama administration, Andrade faces challenges including language barriers, as Spanish is not his first language, and employment searches to finance immigration fees. He articulated a deep connection to his upbringing in Alabama, stating, 'I love my Mexican culture, but at the end of the day, no disrespect to nobody. America, Alabama, is where I grew up. That's where all my memories are. That's what hurts me.'
Andrade remains hopeful for reunion, affirming, 'One way or another, God willing, I will be back. We just got to let this little short storm pass and then we'll be together. I'll be at home once again.' He reminisced about his life in Blountsville, noting, 'That's where my memories are. It's where I went to school, where I played ball, where I made friends. It's where I met Bralie, where my son was born.'
Community Support and Perceptions of Justice
Members of the Blountsville community have voiced sorrow over Andrade's deportation, characterising him as a well-intentioned individual who erred. Donald Nation, a neighbour who assisted in raising Andrade after his father's deportation, remarked, 'Nobody thought he needed to be deported, I mean, he's not a criminal, he's just a kid, just a young man.'
Nation further emphasised, 'He's never been in any serious trouble. You know, he had two misdemeanors for marijuana. How many kids would get deported for that?' He highlighted Andrade's thwarted aspirations, adding, 'He wanted to be a policeman, but that was an impossibility. He tried to join the military, but that was an impossibility. He wanted to be an MP in the military, but they wouldn't let him in.'
