Also in time for Christmas, the family celebrated a change in Victor\u2019s immigration status. Victor is now a lawful permanent resident, something the couple has worked toward since he came home.<\/p>\n
This holiday season the family plans to cherish every moment together, Blanca and Victor said, reflecting on the year the family experienced.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s from the smallest things to the biggest things,\u201d Victor said. \u201cThey’re all just different now, and they all just mean so much more to us now than ever.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"(Maria](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0826-GutierrezinGraham-34--1024x683.jpg\")
Blanca and Victor Gutierrez pose for a photo with their family in Graham on Aug. 26, 2025. The family had not been all together for months while Victor was detained. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n
Since the reunion, the family picked up where they left off, Blanca said. Victor is back at work. The kids started a new school year. Blanca and Victor are close to breaking ground on the construction of the forever home they planned before Victor was detained.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’re just very grateful and try to spend a lot of family time together,\u201d Blanca said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Faith is a pillar of the family. In the detention center, Victor led worship services when the man who was leading the sermons before him was deported. Blanca and their five children \u2014 ages 16, 13, 9, 6 and 2 \u2014 dove deeper into their faith through church, prayer and reading scripture.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"(Maria](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0826-GutierrezinGraham-14--1024x683.jpg\")
A Bible sits on Victor Gutierrez\u2019s kitchen table in Graham on Aug. 26, 2025. Gutierrez would give sermons to other men in the detention center while in New Mexico. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n
There\u2019s times it feels like Victor never left, Blanca said. Other times, the family is reminded of their separation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In late November, Victor had an interview for his green card with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials at a field office in Irving. In the nights leading up to the interview, the family\u2019s oldest daughter Adaly would hug Blanca, crying.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 9-year-old didn\u2019t want her dad to leave again. Victor and Blanca tried to reassure her that everything was going to be OK, he said, recalling the conversation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Members from the family\u2019s church visited Adaly for lunch that day to pray with her for Victor\u2019s interview. By Dec. 2, immigration officials notified Victor that his case to be a permanent resident was approved.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adaly\u2019s prayer following the news is forever imprinted in Blanca\u2019s memory.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u201cGod, I just want to thank you for choosing our family. I just want to thank you for letting my daddy be here, and it’s all over because he has his card.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adaly<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Blanca paused and took a moment to absorb her daughter\u2019s prayer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was like, \u2018You shared your dad to do some amazing things over there, and God needed him over there for a reason. So it’s very good that you’re thanking him for doing that, even though it was hard on us, it was a blessing to so many other people,\u201d Blanca said in response to her daughter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Victor shares his testimony with friends and members of his church. While he and his family reflect on the journey they\u2019ve experienced and move into the new year, he wants people to see his journey as an example of \u201cGod\u2019s perfect timing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere’s a lot that could happen. But one thing’s for sure is that God is always there with you,\u201d Victor said. \u201cAnd if you believe in that, then you’re going to get through it. At the end of the day, God is the one that got me home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marissa Greene is a Report for America corps member, covering faith for the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at marissa.greene@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n