A Son’s Fight to Bring His Mother Home
In Anchorage, Aldo Coyotl fights to free his mom from ICE detention, sharing a story of kindness, family, and quiet resilience.For 22-year-old Aldo Coyotl, the story of his mother, Paola Guzman, is not about immigration paperwork or politics. It is about kindness. “Beyond my mom’s immigration status, the one word that truly describes her is kind,” he said. “That kindness shines through in her work, in how she is as a mother, and in how she treats her neighbors.”
Guzman, 41, was arrested by federal immigration authorities in Anchorage this summer after more than two decades of building a life in Alaska. She had two cleaning jobs scheduled that day with Janco Commercial Cleaning, LLC. On her way to the first, she grew uneasy, telling her husband she thought she was being followed. After finishing the job, she drove to her second client’s home in Midtown. As she parked on the street, federal agents closed in. “As she parked, she was suddenly swarmed by ICE agents,” Aldo said. “One car pulled in front of her, others surrounded her, and they detained her right there.” Guzman was on the phone with her daughter as it happened, and it was that call that alerted the family to her arrest. The detention shattered the steady rhythm of a life Guzman had built through quiet perseverance. “My mom has worked so hard, but it’s not just her work ethic that keeps her going; it’s her kindness that makes people want to keep her around,” Aldo said. “She’s had clients for many years, clients who have seen me grow up, and vice versa, my mom has watched their kids grow, too. These ‘clients’ are no longer just work relationships; they’ve become family friends who have supported us for years.” Her devotion as a parent shaped Aldo’s childhood. “Growing up, we didn’t have much, but she made sure we had everything we needed,” he said. “She would take my sibling and me to all our practices, work two jobs, and still never miss a single game. She was always present at our school events… No matter how tired she was or how early she had to work the next day, she always made time for us.” Inside detention, conditions have been harsh. “My mom tells us they go hours without food… There aren’t enough cells for everyone, so my mom sleeps in the common area, often at a table, in the cold and the noise. If she gets three hours of sleep, that’s considered lucky.” Still, Guzman remains hopeful. Aldo, too, is determined. “I want Alaskans to know this is happening here, in our state,” he said. “ICE has done a great job keeping it quiet. But my mom has lived in Alaska for 22 years. She’s just like anyone else… Alaska is her home.” For him, the path is clear. “One way people in the community can help is by spreading the word; the more people who know, the more noise we can make together,” he said. “As we continue fighting for my mom, any support, whether it’s sharing our story or donating to our GoFundMe, would really help us out.” If you would like to donate, please visit: www.gofundme.com/f/Keep-a-mom-with-her-family |