Nory Sontay Ramos
Synopsis
Nory Sontay Ramos and her mother, Estela Ramos Baten, appeared for what they thought was a routine immigration check-in in Los Angeles on June 30, 2025. This time Nory was required to attend; within five days she and her mother were deported to Guatemala on July 4. Estela had turned 45 two days before the check-in; she had an inflamed liver, high blood pressure, and could no longer work as a seamstress. Relatives said her abrupt removal deprived her of medical treatment; Nory said her mother's medications were confiscated during deportation despite their refusal to sign paperwork. Nine weeks after arriving in Guatemala, Estela died on September 8 from complications of liver cirrhosis. Nory, who turned 18 the month after deportation, was orphaned in Quetzaltenango, where she lives with an older sister she barely knew. She had been on the honor roll and track team at Miguel Contreras Learning Complex and was set to start her senior year; she now finishes high school remotely through LAUSD. Advocates note that had her mother died in the United States, Nory might have qualified for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status; deportation may have closed that path. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and the Immigration Defenders Law Center represent her pro bono to explore avenues to return to the only home she knows. A GoFundMe started by her former teacher has raised over six figures.
Key takeaways
From court records, news reporting, and linked sources below.
- Nory Sontay Ramos and her mother Estela Ramos Baten were detained at a mandatory immigration check-in in Los Angeles on June 30, 2025, and deported to Guatemala on July 4.
- Estela had turned 45 two days before the check-in; she had liver disease, high blood pressure, and could no longer work; Nory said her mother's medications were confiscated despite their refusing to sign paperwork.
- Nine weeks after deportation, Estela died on September 8, 2025, from complications of liver cirrhosis; advocates and family say lack of medical care and the stress of deportation contributed.
- Nory, 18, was orphaned in Guatemala; she had lived in the U.S. since 2016 and was due to start her senior year on the honor roll and track team at Miguel Contreras in LA.
- She now lives in Quetzaltenango with an older sister she barely knows and finishes senior year remotely; she said: 'My mom was the only one that I knew. I feel so alone.'
- Had Estela died in the United States, Nory might have qualified for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status; deportation may have closed that option.
- Gibson Dunn and Immigration Defenders Law Center represent Nory pro bono to explore legal relief to return; a GoFundMe by her former teacher has raised over six figures.
- Estela was a garment worker in LA's Westlake District; the Garment Worker Center described an industry that 'squeezes you like a lemon' with no retirement for workers who fall ill.
- DHS says the pair exhausted their legal options; advocates question whether individuals receive adequate information about their rights before rapid transfer and deportation.
- Nory wears her mother's ring and a bracelet with her mother's name; she is pursuing a diploma and hopes to work in fashion design.