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Deported nurse wins approval to return to the US

Posted at 3:00 PM, Dec 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-01 17:58:25-05

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – A nurse who was deported to Mexico has won her improbable fight to return to her four children and job in California after winning a ticket in a visa lottery.

Maria Mendoza-Sanchez told the San Francisco Chronicle she learned Friday her visa had been approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. She said she “could barely believe” the news.

She and her husband were deported to Mexico last year amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

Her case drew support from political leaders and her colleagues at Highland Hospital held a rally protesting her deportation. The hospital petitioned for her to get an H-1B visa, arguing she is high-skilled worker.

Senator Dianne Feinstein said she was pleased Mendoza-Sanchez was granted the visa, given the nurse’s contributions to her community.