Carlos Zurita had gone to Juarez for a visa interview—his first trip to Mexico since he was brought to the U.S. as a 2-year-old. What unfolded was a monthlong stay.
SAN ANTONIO — A Mexican-born man and DACA recipient who has spent nearly his entire life in Texas was expected to be gone for just a short time when he went to Mexico for an official visa interview.
Instead, Carlos Zurita was stuck in the country when his case was placed in administrative processing—a designation that comes without explanation and offers no clear timeline for a decision. That was on May 22, and weeks went by without any major updates, according to his wife, Kendall Zurita.
All the while, he wasn’t allowed to return to the U.S.
“It should have been open-and-shut,” Kendall told KENS 5 in June. “He has nothing that bars him from here. I’m a citizen, our kids are citizens.”
Last Friday – more than a month since Carlos went to Mexico – he finally was approved to return home. He was back in San Antonio by Saturday morning, ending a period of uncertainty for the family.
“Instead of having him drop off passport and waiting for it to get mailed back, they printed right then and there and told him he was able to go home,” Kendall said this week. “We were shocked. They apologized for the delay and said there was nothing wrong with his DACA, his background, our info or documents.”
According to Kendall, officials wanted to ensure he wasn’t linked to any wrongdoing.
“He undergoes background checks every two years for his DACA, so I don’t necessarily believe that,” she said. “But all that matters is he is home.”
The end of an ordeal
Carlos, who was brought to Fredericksburg when he was just 2 years old, was returning to Mexico for the first time since he was a toddler as he continues the process of attaining a green card and, eventually, U.S. citizenship.
The couple began that process after their marriage in 2018, utilizing the services of attorney Monica Saenz. In the aftermath of Carlos being stuck in Mexico, Saenz told KENS 5 he has never been convicted of a crime and has passed multiple background checks.
Carlos owns a landscaping business, which Kendall was helping to manage while also working her own job and running their household.
“We all went for Father’s Day. It was really hard—everyone being together and him left by himself,” she previously said.
The situation proved not only emotionally exhausting, but financially draining. Kendall said they were spending up to $600 a week on a hotel room for Carlos, in addition to the thousands they’ve already spent in legal fees over the past several years.
Carlos’ homecoming just ahead of the July Fourth holiday proved to be an emotional one.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, who represents San Antonio, said his office submitted an inquiry on Carlos’ behalf.
“Our community is better off because Mr. Zurita will be reunited with his family,” the congressman said in a statement. “Anyone in my district should contact my office about challenges they face with the federal government.”