Florida

Florida Father of Six, Undocumented Immigrant Faces Deportation After Turning Himself In to Immigration Officials

Louis Blanco turned himself in Tuesday to Immigration and Customs Enforcement

What to Know

  • Louis Blanco turned himself in Tuesday to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with his lawyer saying he will likely be transferred to Miami
  • Blanco entered the country one time and was deported before re-entering in 1998 illegally.
  • Since then, he married and has worked to help raise his five daughters and one son – with another child on the way.

A man who has been living in the Tampa area after entering the United States from Mexico twice as an undocumented immigrant could find himself behind bars before being deported again – leaving behind a pregnant wife and six kids.

Louis Blanco turned himself in Tuesday to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to NBC affiliate WFLA-TV, with his lawyer said he will likely be transferred to a detention center in Miami as officials determine their next course of action.

"It seems like their mind was made up before we even walked into the door," said attorney Daniela Hogue.

Blanco entered the country one time and was deported before re-entering in 1998 illegally. Since then, he married and has been a construction worker to help raise his five daughters and one son – with another child on the way.

His family said Blanco knew this day was coming after his latest appeal to stay was denied.

"It was pretty heartbreaking because I know my dad, you know, he just wants the best for us and seeing him have to go into this detention is pretty heartbreaking," said his daughter, Jennifer.

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