Texas grandmother facing deportation after assaulting postal worker

In March 2025, Margarita Avila, a grandmother originally from Belize, was placed in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody following an altercation with a postal worker in Spring, Texas. The incident occurred earlier in the month when Avila, who has lived in the U.S. since 2001, was accused of injuring the mail carrier with a weed eater during a confrontation. Her family asserts that Avila was acting in self-defense, as she was trimming grass near a mailbox when the postal worker approached her, requesting that she step aside to avoid debris. This confrontation escalated when the postal worker tapped Avila on the shoulder, resulting in Avila allegedly hitting her with the weed eater, leading to injuries. Video evidence captured the struggle between the two women, although it does not provide a clear view of the initial interaction. Avila’s family has expressed serious concerns about her potential deportation back to Belize, where she fled cartel violence over two decades ago. Her daughter, Lisbet Azucena Avila, emphasized that returning to Belize would endanger her mother’s life, as the threats from the cartel are still present. She claimed that her mother had no choice but to leave Belize in 2001 due to the danger she faced, and reiterated that, if deported, it would be the last time the family would see her. Margarita has reportedly been living legally in the U.S. while seeking asylum. Following the assault charge, which was categorized as bodily injury, Avila's bond was set at $100. This legal issue has drastically affected her immigration proceedings, with advocates and family members rallying for her release from ICE custody. They maintain that Avila, despite being portrayed as the aggressor, is actually a victim of circumstances, as her actions were a response to what they claim was an unprovoked attack by the postal worker. The U.S. Postal Service has confirmed that the involved carrier has been interviewed regarding the incident, but they have not initiated an investigation into the altercation. Public interest in the case has spurred responses from community members and advocates, who criticize the legal system's treatment of individuals like Avila, who have fled violence and seek safety in the U.S.