Damary Melgar, a 20-year-old college student at Simmons College working full-time as a restaurant server, remained in the United States after her mother and 10-year-old sister self-deported to Honduras on June 28, 2026. After initially planning to pursue pre-med studies, Damary changed her focus to business and finance due to financial pressures on her family. She is now facing the burden of supporting her mother and sister from abroad while managing full-time work and school, living without stable housing since she cannot afford the family's Brighton apartment alone. Damary said she must remain strong to prevent her family from being harmed, and plans to send money to Honduras. She struggles with the separation and the understanding that despite her family's full compliance with immigration procedures—attending all required check-ins and following all rules—they were still forcibly separated.