Mexican Ice Cream Vendor Decides to Self-Deport After 30 Years in the United States
A Mexican ice cream vendor deportation story moves thousands: a paletero from San Diego chose to return to his country after 30 years.
Posted on 08/10/2025 at 15:53
- Mexican ice-cream vendor deportation story
- Deportation after 30 years
- Family seeks financial support
Francisco Duarte, a Mexican migrant who worked for more than three decades in San Diego, California, made a painful yet firm decision — to return to Mexico after receiving a deportation order.
For 30 years, Francisco built a stable life in the United States. He arrived seeking better opportunities and found an honest livelihood selling popsicles on the streets of San Diego.
On September 22, 2025, the U.S. government ordered his final departure from the country along with his wife, closing a life chapter that began with hope.
Mexican Ice Cream Vendor Faces Deportation After 30 Years in the U.S.
Ep 67 – A Mexican ice cream vendor is deported after three decades in the U.S. pic.twitter.com/ZVUv0bPMeW
— Asi Veo Las Cosas (@_asiveolascosas) September 30, 2025
In a video shared on social media, Francisco himself explained why he chose to “self-deport.”
“This country gave me everything, and they supported me,” the ice cream vendor said emotionally, recalling the customers who had accompanied him through the years in San Diego.
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Francisco Duarte arrived in the United States more than three decades ago and dedicated his life to selling popsicles under the California sun.
His daily hard work allowed him to build a home and provide for his family.
For 25 years, he and his wife lived in their own house in San Diego, where they raised four children.
One of them was accepted to Stanford University, another studies at Harvey Mudd College in Los Angeles, and a third has already graduated.
The success of his children reflects Francisco’s sacrifices — he admitted that saying goodbye to them would be the hardest part.
“They will accompany me to the border and then return to their routines,” he told Telemundo in an interview.
The Beginning of the Deportation Process
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In May 2017, Francisco Duarte and his wife were detained by immigration agents in San Diego.
From that moment, a long judicial process began — one that lasted more than eight years.
“That’s when the torment started for me,” the migrant said in a video posted by his daughter Araceli on Instagram.
Francisco spent seven months in an immigration detention center before being released with the help of attorneys.
For years, Francisco Duarte attended court hearings hoping to obtain legal status, but the judge ultimately denied his residency request.
“They gave us an order to leave for Mexico. They put an ankle monitor on me, and I have 30 days to appeal,” he said with resignation.
A Viral Farewell and a United Family
Francisco Duarte’s daughter, Araceli Duarte, shared her father’s story on Instagram, where the post received over 100,000 reactions in just a few days.
At the same time, she launched a GoFundMe campaign to support her parents financially as they start a new life in Mexico.
“My two older brothers work and have always supported my parents and themselves,” she wrote in the post.
The young woman admitted that the news was devastating for the entire family but emphasized their determination to stay united.
“It’s painful news, but we’ll find a solution together,” Araceli said.
Francisco Duarte — the beloved Mexican ice cream vendor from San Diego — closes a chapter of his life with gratitude and hope.
Though he leaves behind three decades of work and community, he carries with him the love and respect of those who saw him as an example of perseverance and dignity.
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