After living in the U.S. for more than 20 years, her mom was deported to Mexico in a day

"The house feels really empty without her," says 14-year-old Jackie Rayos-Garcia.

For Jackie's family, one of the worst things that could happen, did happen.

Earlier this year, Jackie's mom, Guadalupe García de Rayos, was deported. 

Jackie found out when her mom called from Mexico.

"It was really sad because I knew that I wasn't going to have her in my life and I could only see her during summer vacations…[T]hat isn't really enough time to be with your mom."

Guadalupe had been living in the United States as an undocumented immigrant for more than 20 years.

"They were told that if they work hard enough they'll get the American dream...They wanted us to have a really good future and that's why they came over here to settle down and have their own kids." 

About a decade ago, Guadalupe was rounded up in a raid and arrested for using a fake social security number for work. Guadalupe pleaded guilty and was detained for six months. When she was released, she was allowed to stay in America but had to check in with immigration officials once a year.

Jackie says ever since that happened, she's lived with the constant fear of her mom being rounded up again and this time, deported. That incident also turned Jackie into an advocate for families like hers. 

"It was a really scary feeling because you didn't know...if she could come back from work or if she could come back from the store. It's something that's not normal. No kid should be worrying if their parents are going to be able to come back home."

Every year, Guadalupe visited immigration officials. And every year, they let her go. But this last check-in, back in February, was different.

"The day she had to present herself I could say she was a little scared because there was a possibility she'd be taken away from us…She thought it was the right thing to do [to go to the appointment]. She didn't want to live in hiding."

Guadalupe is said to be one of the first people affected by President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration. It prioritizes the deportation of undocumented immigrants with any kind of criminal record. 

Guadalupe left behind her husband and two American children: her 16-year-old son Angel and Jackie, who's 14.

"I'm trying to make my mom proud. She came over here, she tried to give us a great life. She wanted us to have a good education and that's what I'm going to do...I'm going to get my career as a doctor and I'm going to make her proud and make her feel like she actually accomplished it, you know? Make her feel that what she wanted came true."