Mother dies from stress and lack of care after deportation to Guatemala
- Estela Ramos Baten, along with her daughter, was deported from the U.S. to Guatemala on July 4, 2025.
- Since their deportation, they were unable to access necessary medical care and lived in fear of gang violence.
- Estela died on September 8, 2025, due to stress and lack of treatment, highlighting the dangers of deportation.
In 2016, Estela Ramos Baten and her daughter Nory Sontay Ramos fled Guatemala to escape gang threats, specifically from the 18th Street Gang. They settled in Los Angeles, where they sought to adjust their legal status in the United States for several years. However, on July 4, 2025, both Estela and Nory were deported back to Guatemala during a routine immigration check. Since their return to Guatemala, they struggled to avoid gang encounters and shared their home with fear and anxiety, complicating Estela’s chronic health issues. Estela had previously been receiving medication for her health problems in the United States but faced significant difficulties accessing the same treatments after deportation. Nory revealed that Estela was overwhelmed with stress due to their deportation, compounding her health conditions. The inability to seek medical care added to the tension in their lives, which was already marked by the fear of being recognized by the very gang they had previously fled from. Despite efforts to find medicine for her mother, they continuously encountered barriers that exacerbated Estela’s conditions. Amidst growing concerns for her health and well-being, on the night of September 8, Estela died. Nory and her siblings were left mourning across two countries and struggling to come to terms with their loss. The passing of Estela raised significant questions about the impact of deportation on families and individual health, especially regarding the stress and trauma associated with such experiences. Those who loved Estela expressed that the stress, fear, and lack of treatment linked to their forced return contributed directly to her death. In the wake of Estela's passing, the family was left to redirect their initial intentions to hire a lawyer for their immigration appeals into funeral expenses and arrangements. Nory expressed the desire for justice and awareness regarding the broader implications of deportation policies as they relate to the health and safety of immigrants. Estela’s story illustrates the tragic outcomes faced by many deported individuals, showing that the consequences of these policies extend beyond legal ramifications to affect the fundamental well-being of families.