A Longtime Resident with Deep Roots
Maria Bonilla, 17, came from El Salvador to the US in 2001. She lived in Georgia for 24 years, working various jobs, raising four children, and becoming active in her church and community. Bonilla was in Atlanta on a work authorization permit when she was detained.
Her four children—Araceli (22), Magali (21), Henrin (17), and Tatiana (15)—are Americans. Friends and neighbors describe Maria as giving, committed, and unselfish, and the family has lived quietly and hard.
“She worked two jobs just to make sure we had everything we needed,” her oldest daughter Magali said. “She’s more American than anyone I know.”
Detention at Immigration Court
Maria was surprised by her arrest. ICE held her in the Atlanta Immigration Court as she was supposed to appear, according to family and media sources. The family blames inconsistent legal advice over the years for incomplete immigration documents.
Maria attended all obligatory ICE check-ins and updated her legal papers for over a decade. Her position may have been complicated by a previous charge for driving without a license.
 “She had no criminal record beyond that,” claimed a family representative. “She was told she was doing well.”
The Stewart Detention Center, a private immigration jail in Lumpkin, Georgia, received Maria after her arrest. She remains in detention as of 2 July 2025, with no word on her release or deportation.
Devastating Impact on the Family
Maria’s absence has taken a toll on her kids. Henrin, her adolescent son, graduated from high school in May without his mother. “She missed one of the biggest moments of my life,” he cried. “She shoulda have been there.”
In addition to emotional pain, the family is struggling financially. Maria has lost her job, leaving her kids to struggle with paying expenses and caring for their younger siblings.
In response, the family launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal fees and living expenses. Magali from Gainesville, Georgia, initiated the initiative, which has garnered support from friends, neighbors, and worried strangers. It is still gaining popularity online.
🔗 Support Maria Bonilla’s Family on GoFundMe
Legal Complexity and Community Outcry
Maria’s immigration situation is complicated, say lawyers. Maria may have had an outdated deportation order due to procedural difficulties and legal mistakes, according to reports. This past makes her legal defense harder, with some attorneys avoiding her case.
Immigration groups say Maria’s arrest shows how the US immigration policy penalizes longtime residents.
“This is a case that illustrates the deep flaws in our immigration system,” said Georgia Immigrant Rights Alliance director Luz Hernández. Maria Bonilla is harmless. Mother, worker, neighbor. This is her place.”
Private jail operator CoreCivic operates the Stewart Detention Center, where Maria is located. The facility’s overcrowding and inadequate facilities have raised worries about inmate well-being, especially in long-term detention instances like Maria’s.
The Fight for Freedom Continues
Maria’s children in Atlanta continue to demand her freedom. Immigration attorneys, advocacy groups, and local politicians were contacted. The future is unknown, but they stay hopeful.
“We won’t stop fighting until she’s home,” said her daughter Araceli. “She’s our mom and heart.”
Maria Bonilla remains in prison as her case moves slowly. However, her narrative of tenacity, love, and the human cost of immigration policy is sparking national discussions about justice, belonging, and the future of families like hers.
Can you aid Maria Bonilla’s family with information, legal advice, or resources? Learn how to become involved by emailing info@gira.org or visiting their website.
