Widow Voices Out After Husband's Tragic End in Detention Facility
It was just before nightfall in Texas when Stephany Gauffeny, a 32-year-old mother, took a solitary walk in a cemetery, tightly cradling her newborn son. She paused at a grave that lacked a headstone, where a red ribbon with her husband's name written on it marked his final resting place.
Her husband, Miguel García-Hernández, became her life partner in 2016. A decade later, he was fatally shot in a detention facility in Dallas.
"Trying to move on is tough, but what breaks my heart is when my children ask about their father," Gauffeny revealed, sharing her pain for the first time since her husband's untimely passing.
She recalled the heartbreaking conversation she had with her eight-year-old autistic daughter, who kept waiting for her dad. Gauffeny had to tell her the day before the funeral that her father was now in heaven, watching over her, and she wouldn't be able to see him again.
The Tragic Incident
On a fateful day in September, García-Hernández was taken into detention following a brief jail term for a DUI. That very morning, an armed assailant started shooting outside the detention center. Even though the attacker intended to harm the officers, only detainees got injured, including García-Hernández who was critically wounded.
His wife, Gauffeny, was returning from a prenatal doctor's appointment when she received the heart-wrenching news. Her excitement to share updates about their unborn son turned into despair.
"I rushed into the hospital room, and tears filled my eyes. He was handcuffed to the bed, even in that state," Gauffeny recounted, her voice filled with sorrow.
García-Hernández succumbed to his injuries five days later. His third child with Gauffeny was born just three days after his passing. He would have turned 32 on their 10th wedding anniversary.
The Aftermath
She believes that her husband's tragic end is a result of the escalating political aggression and anti-immigrant sentiments in the country.
The couple had recently bought a house in Arlington, on Dallas' outskirts, where they lived with their children and two girls from Gauffeny's previous relationship, whom García-Hernández had helped raise.
He had dreams of turning their garage into a room, painting parts of the house, and replacing the fence, all on his own. Now, Gauffeny wonders who will fulfill those dreams.
Immigration Status
García-Hernández was a native of San Luis Potosí, a central state in Mexico. He crossed the border as a teenager without proper documentation. Although many undocumented immigrants have benefited from legislation since 2012, he couldn't qualify as he had arrived too early.
He spent almost two decades in the Dallas area, earning a living by painting and remodeling homes. According to Gauffeny, he had applied for an initiative that would've allowed undocumented spouses of US citizens to achieve legal status, but it was blocked by a Texas judge.
Gauffeny shared that her husband dreamed of starting his own painting business once his immigration case was resolved and was saving up for the necessary equipment.
However, with the recent expansion of immigration raids, even non-criminals without proper documentation have been targeted. This has resulted in massive protests and rising concerns over the authorities' tactics. This hostile environment has also led to a surge of online hate messages, with Gauffeny becoming a target after her husband's tragic end.
"People were happy because he was here illegally," said Gauffeny, "But he didn't deserve this, and we're going to fight."
Possible Legal Action
Eric Cedillo, a Dallas attorney assisting Gauffeny, hinted at a potential lawsuit but didn't provide further details.
Meanwhile, García-Hernández's mother, Maria García, who was deported to Mexico earlier this year, was initially unable to visit her son in the hospital. However, following intervention by the Mexican government, she was granted humanitarian parole to travel to the US.
Life Moves On
The expenses related to García-Hernández's funeral were covered through donations collected on a fundraising page created by Gauffeny's sister-in-law. The grave still lacks a headstone due to financial constraints.
As she navigates these tough times, Gauffeny is worried about the future, especially for her children. The mortgage payments for their home are hefty, and they were already struggling when her husband was detained.
Before leaving the cemetery, Gauffeny shared that her husband had bought a Spanish Bible while in custody. After his death, his belongings arrived in the mail, including the bookmarked Bible.
"He had planned to read the Bible from start to end, but his journey was cut short," she said, her voice filled with regret and sorrow.