A letter of approval arrived in the mail this week, but the 31‑year‑old Mexican national whose name it bore never saw it.
Approval Letter Arrives After Tragic Loss
The 31‑year‑old, Miguel Garcia, was killed two months ago during a sniper attack at the Dallas ICE facility where he was being held in federal custody. A letter addressed to him, approving his request to move forward with obtaining legal status in the United States, arrived in the mail this week.
Garcia’s Journey to Legal Status
Garcia had worked for years to obtain legal status in the U.S. “It’s something we were waiting for for two years,” his widow, Stephany Gauffeny, said. The approval letter grants him the ability to begin applying for a visa or green card, something the couple had hoped would allow them to live without fear of deportation.
The Tragic Incident
Garcia was arrested for DWI in Arlington in August. In September, while detained at the Dallas ICE facility, he was killed along with another detainee when a rooftop sniper opened fire.
Emotional Impact on the Widow
“Everything’s a reminder. The baby’s a reminder,” Gauffeny said, noting that she gave birth to their fifth child after his death. She lives with constant memories of Garcia in their Arlington home, which the couple purchased in May. From the garage to the Christmas tree, she said she feels his presence.
She opened the letter on Monday, saying, “It was under his name, and I had no idea what it was, opened it and instantly started crying because the first thing you see is, ‘You’ve been approved,’.” She added, “It’s right before Christmas time, and it’s hurtful because if he would have been here, it would have been the total opposite. It would have been a moment of happiness.”
Questions About Timing of Letter
Gauffeny questioned why U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services sent a letter dated Dec. 9—two months after her husband’s death. “I know he would have been really happy,” she said.
Request for Comment
NBC DFW has requested comment from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services but has not received a response.
Key Takeaways
- A USCIS approval letter arrived months after the death of Miguel Garcia, a 31‑year‑old Mexican national.
- Garcia was killed in a sniper attack at the Dallas ICE facility in September.
- The widow, Stephany Gauffeny, expresses deep grief and questions the timing of the approval letter.
The story underscores the tragic loss of life within ICE facilities and the emotional toll on families left behind.
