MERCEDES, Texas - Peñitas resident and St. Anne Catholic Church goer Jose Alejandro, Jr., is 18 years old. He has been accepted into three universities, one in Arizona and two in Texas, but is having to do yard work to help feed his two younger sisters.
Alejandro is now the breadwinner in his family because his mother Virginia was picked up by ICE three weeks ago whilst on her way to work. She is currently being detained at El Valle Detention Center in Raymondville.
Alejandro has started a Go Fund Me campaign to try to raise money to get legal help for his mother. His father, also called Jose, had his own landscaping business. He was picked up a year ago by ICE and deported to Mexico.
Alejandro, Jr., broke down in tears when he spoke from the podium about immigration at Valley Interfaith’s 2026 Candidate Accountability Session, held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Mercedes. He was consoled by Sister Fatima Santiago, of Proyecto Desaroolo Humano, and Congressional District 15 candidate Bobby Pulido.
Here are his remarks from the podium:
After the accountability session had concluded, Alejandro spoke with the Rio Grande Guardian:
