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Florida college student quits school to raise siblings after parents' deportation

Eliza Perez, a 21-year-old from Florida, took over her parents' landscaping business and became the caretaker of her three younger siblings, ages 18, 16, and 14, after both of her parents were deported two days before Thanksgiving.

Nov 25, 2025FLCountry of origin: Guatemala

Florida college student quits school to raise siblings after parents' deportation
Photo via ABC News

Eliza Perez, a 21-year-old from Florida, took over her parents' landscaping business and became the caretaker of her three younger siblings, ages 18, 16, and 14, after both of her parents were deported two days before Thanksgiving. Perez said her parents had fled Guatemala as young adults and lived in the U.S. for nearly 30 years before being detained. She put off attending college to work outdoors in her parents' landscaping business instead of pursuing an office job, saying she had to leave her dreams behind to support her family.

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