Woman deported to Mexico after serving 20+ years in California prison
May 18, 2026·Location: California, CA
Country of origin: Mexico

Ursula Gomez completed over two decades in California state prison and participated in rehabilitation programs and college coursework. Upon her release in July 2024, the California Department of Corrections transferred her to ICE custody rather than releasing her. After 11 months in multiple ICE detention centers, facing threats of deportation to countries she had no ties to, Gomez agreed to voluntary removal to Mexico, the country she left at age 5. She was deported later in 2024.
Sources
- Immigrants behind bars often find ICE waiting after their prison sentences
knoxradio.com·May 18, 2026·archived copy
- San Quentin Event Showcases Culture and Urges for Comprehensive Immigration Reform - Davis Vanguard
davisvanguard.org·Aug 11, 2025·archived copy
- San Quentin celebrates El Salvador, focusing on the plight of those being deported there - Local News Matters
localnewsmatters.org·Aug 22, 2025·archived copy
- Why Some Immigrants Feel Safer in San Quentin Than Parole
marincountyvisitor.com·Apr 5, 2026·archived copy
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