A woman from Montreal, Canada, has been held in a U.S. immigration detention center for more than three months. Her family describes it as a heartbreaking situation that has turned their lives upside down.
Paula Callejas, 45, traveled to Florida to grow her swimsuit brand after taking time off to care for her father in Canada. She was hoping to restart her business after her father’s passing in 2020. Instead, she was arrested and placed into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Her mother, Maria Estella Cano, said her daughter was once strong and full of hope. Now, she breaks down in tears every day, unable to cope with her situation.
Callejas’ story comes at a time of increased deportations and strict immigration actions under the current U.S. administration. Since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, his government has promised strong action against illegal immigration. This includes ICE raids in public places and the detention of people without prior criminal records.
Callejas was born and raised in Montreal after her family moved there from Colombia. She began her swimsuit line in 2012 and gained interest over the years, especially after attending shows in Florida. She even took part in Miami Swim Week, one of the top fashion events for swimwear designers.
After seeing promise in the U.S. market, Callejas bought property in Florida. Her family says she lived modestly while trying to grow her business. She was in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa for skilled workers, which was set to expire in March.
Her family explained that Paula filed for a visa extension in February. However, they say it was denied due to a minor issue — the color of ink she used to sign the form. Thinking this was a simple mistake, she reapplied.
But on March 28, Callejas was arrested after an argument with her boyfriend. The family says she was defending herself. Although she posted bail, she was quickly taken into ICE custody.
ICE confirmed that Callejas entered the U.S. on a visitor visa and had broken its conditions. They said she would remain in detention until her immigration case is decided.
For her family, this process has been costly and emotionally painful. Cano said the legal fees alone have drained their savings. One lawyer charged them $5,000 just to file paperwork.
Paula has already been moved between at least three different facilities, and the family says her mental health is getting worse. She is no longer the strong woman she once was, her mother added.
The family hopes she will be allowed to settle her criminal case, attend court, and return to Canada on her own. They believe she deserves a fair chance to reapply for her visa and continue her business dream.
Canadian officials have not provided updates on Callejas’ case, citing privacy rules. However, as of late June, Canada’s foreign ministry confirmed that around 55 Canadians are being held by ICE across the U.S.
This number can change over time as new cases are added and others are resolved.
In June, another Canadian man, Johnny Noviello, died while in ICE custody in Florida. He had lived in the U.S. since 1988 and was a legal resident. He was picked up after a drug conviction and held for removal.
Noviello’s death raised questions about how ICE treats detainees, especially those with health issues or long histories in the country. Canadian consular officials have since sought more details from U.S. authorities.
Meanwhile, Callejas’ family is waiting and hoping. They want her to come home safely, rebuild her life, and keep working on her swimwear brand — a dream that began in Montreal and grew with effort and hope.
