Undocumented Sarasota College Student Detained by ICE in Texas Faces Deportation Risk

Maria Martinez, an undocumented Sarasota woman who was brought to the U.S. illegally as a child, is currently detained by ICE after being arrested for driving without a license. Despite graduating from North Port High School with honors and earning an Associate’s degree in business administration, Maria faces possible deportation to Mexico, causing distress for her family who emphasize her hard work and clean record. After being pulled over for making an illegal U-turn, local police alerted ICE, leading to her transfer through detention centers in Florida and now Texas. Her family, supported by community groups, is actively campaigning for her release, highlighting that she is not a criminal but a responsible member of the community with a promising career. Critics argue that ICE should prioritize violent offenders rather than individuals like Maria, though some local political figures maintain that deportation is warranted due to her undocumented status. A hearing is scheduled where her attorney will seek her release on bond, but the threat of deportation looms.