After more than three decades building a life in Princeton, New Jersey, a Guatemalan family is facing a deadline that could split it apart. Graciela Quiej learned on November 11 that she can stay in the United States until May 2027, according to joint reporting by The Jersey Vindicator and Planet Princeton published on November 14. Her husband Javier, who helps care for their severely disabled adult daughter Ebelyn and keeps the household afloat, has received no such extension — and neither have two of their adult children.

Javier Quiej, his son Javier Jr. and his daughter Johanna are due to report on Monday, November 16, to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Mount Laurel, nearly an hour south of Princeton, and they have been told to bring plane tickets to Guatemala with them. All four family members were told in October to prepare to leave the United States by the end of the year, their attorney John Leschak told the two outlets.

A February drive that ended in relief — and then a reversal

The family's fear is not new. On a cold February day earlier this year, the Quiejs drove south on Interstate 295 to the Mount Laurel ICE office after being called back ahead of their next scheduled appointment, having first stopped at their church before dawn so Javier could meet his pastor. They loaded Ebelyn and her wheelchair into the family van, prayed during the whole drive, and waited with a few dozen other immigrants outside the office. Less than an hour after going in, they emerged with permission to go home while their request for a renewed stay of removal was pending, and their next appointment was set for February 16, 2027.

That relief did not hold. A letter from ICE dated May 11 gave Javier a six-month administrative stay of removal and instructed him to leave the country when it expired, while Graciela's request remained pending. In October, ICE called Graciela back to Mount Laurel, made her wear an ankle monitor, and told her to return with a plane ticket to Guatemala. When she appeared on October 26, ICE rejected her ticket because it included a connecting flight — officials wanted a nonstop flight, according to the reporting.

Leschak asked to speak to a supervisor and explained the family's situation. When the supervisor returned, the instructions had widened rather than softened: Javier, Javier Jr. and Johanna were also told to report on November 16 with plane tickets. Leschak said an ICE official told him at the October appointment that their hands were tied and that the instructions to deport the family came from Washington — an account reported by the two outlets and attributed to the family's attorney.

Doctors say a move would put Ebelyn's life at risk

Ebelyn Quiej has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and scoliosis and needs round-the-clock care. She has humanitarian deferred action through 2028, and ICE has issued no departure instructions for her — but the family and their attorney say that if her parents are forced to leave, she would have to go with them to Guatemala because she depends entirely on their care. "She is completely disabled and needs 24-7 assistance," Leschak said. "It would be a death sentence bringing her back to Guatemala."

Medical letters filed in the family's case describe the same picture. Neurologist Dr. Rao Pasupuleti of Comprehensive Neurology in Hamilton wrote on February 3 that Ebelyn has weakness on her right side, repeated falls and one or two small seizures a day that medication has failed to control, along with severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, and that she "needs help with every single aspect of daily living." Dr. Jasmeet Mehta, her primary care doctor in Hamilton, warned on October 6 that a move would jeopardize treatment for her seizure disorder. Social worker Jordan Goodwin said her mobility limits and seizure disorder make flying dangerous and that she has not received medical clearance to fly.

Every morning, Graciela helps Ebelyn out of bed, bathes her, brushes her teeth and hair, changes her clothes and feeds her breakfast — a routine that can take longer when Ebelyn feels nauseated. Taking her out of the house requires two people. "She's like a baby. She can't do anything for herself," Graciela said. Her U.S.-born daughter Jennifer added: "She's a superwoman. I don't know how she does it. My sister needs a lot of care. And my mom, she's only getting older."

A life built in Princeton over 35 years

Javier came to the United States in 1991, while Guatemala was in the midst of a civil war, and Graciela followed in 1993 with their three young children — Javier Jr., then 5, Johanna, then 3, and Ebelyn, then 2. The family stayed in Princeton because of Ebelyn's medical needs; she was treated for years at Shriners Hospital and underwent several operations on her hips and lower body. In 2011, Ebelyn received humanitarian deferred action and her parents received work permits. The Quiejs raised five children in Princeton, have belonged to the same church for more than 30 years, and three of their children graduated from Princeton High School, where their youngest son Michael is now a senior.

Javier works at Princeton University and as a busboy at a local restaurant, files his taxes every year and has spent 35 years serving residents and students in local delis and restaurants. Javier Jr. has worked at Viburnum Designs in Princeton for about 18 years; the shop's event director Rachel Pellichero, who has worked beside him for 17 years, called him "our go-to guy" who stays late, arrives early and pre-packs for events. Johanna works in a school and has two U.S.-born children. Leschak called the administration's approach "totally draconian" and said officials are discounting or ignoring Ebelyn's health issues, adding: "Our hope is that, in light of the midterms, ICE will be softening its approach."

What happens next

The immediate test comes on Monday, November 16, when Javier, Javier Jr. and Johanna report to the Mount Laurel ICE office with their tickets. Graciela's stay runs until May 2027, but without Javier the household would lose both his daily physical help — including lifting Ebelyn — and the income it depends on. Johanna would have to decide whether to take her two U.S.-born children to Guatemala or leave them in the United States. The family has been able to hire its lawyer thanks to the Nassau Presbyterian Church's Neighbors Fund. Asked how the family would manage, Javier said they are placing themselves in God's hands.

For immigrant families across New Jersey — a state with large diaspora communities in towns such as Princeton, Trenton and Edison — the case is being watched as a test of how far enforcement reaches into long-settled households with U.S.-born children, work permits, tax records and a family member whose doctors say she cannot safely fly. Awaaz Punjab will update this story after the November 16 appointment.