Hundreds Protest in Gävle Against Deportation of 8-Year-Old Gabriella Perez

In Gävle, hundreds of residents gathered on February 14 to protest the imminent deportation of the Perez family, focusing particularly on 8-year-old Gabriella Perez who is set to be deported from Sweden this coming Monday. Gabriella, along with her parents Jonathan Perez Perez, 43, and Silvia Valladares de Perez, 42, has lived in Sweden since 2017. Despite Silvia meeting the income threshold for residency, Jonathan did not meet the new immigration income requirement, which is 80% of the median salary, leading to their residency application being denied. Because Silvia's residency is linked to Jonathan’s status, the entire family faces deportation.

The protest on Valentine’s Day was organized by community members who expressed their sadness and solidarity, highlighting the strong local support for the family and the broader concerns about strict deportation policies. Protesters emphasized the human and emotional side of immigration issues, especially as they involve children.

Swedish Minister for Migration, Johan Forssell, acknowledged the difficult nature of cases involving children but defended the stringent immigration rules, underscoring the necessity of regulations to maintain a controlled immigration system. The Perez family, despite this setback, remains hopeful and intends to reapply for residency after returning to El Salvador, viewing their current deportation as a temporary obstacle.

This case underscores ongoing debates in Sweden around immigration policy, income requirements, and the treatment of families who have resided in the country for several years. It highlights the tension between enforcing immigration laws and addressing humanitarian concerns raised by local communities.