ELIZABETH, New Jersey (WABC) -- A deportation nightmare came true Wednesday morning for the family of Melvin Herrera. A husband and father of two young children with autism. Herrera was sent back to Honduras.
Herrera was detained in November by ICE after being arrested for a minor traffic violation in Plainfield. He was housed at the Elizabeth Detention Center just months after being reunited with his older daughter, who was being raised in Central America.
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Herrera's youngest kids, William and Valerie were born in the United States. Now, they face an uncertain future.
According to Ice, Herrera failed to follow a court order, saying,
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"He entered the U.S. illegally at an unknown date and location and was later encountered and arrested by Border Patrol May 29, 2005. He was issued a notice to appear in immigration court and failed to do so. He was ordered removed in absentia by an immigration judge Oct. 3, 2005."
Herrera's wife, Geyde has a green card, but her husband, who worked in construction was the breadwinner, while she took care of their kids with special needs.
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