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After living in U.S. for 30 years, father says emotional goodbye as he’s deported to Mexico

Click to play video: 'Man living in U.S. for nearly 30 years, now facing deportation, tearfully says goodbye to his family at Detroit airport'
Man living in U.S. for nearly 30 years, now facing deportation, tearfully says goodbye to his family at Detroit airport
WATCH ABOVE: Man living in U.S. for nearly 30 years, now facing deportation, tearfully says goodbye to his family at a Detroit airport – Jan 16, 2018

A Detroit man’s tearful goodbye to his family, as he was deported to Mexico, has prompted outcry over the United States’ immigration policies.

Jorge Garcia, 39, hugged his wife and children at the Detroit Metro Airport on Monday, before boarding a plane to Mexico. Garcia has lived in the U.S. since he was 10 years old and has long sought legal status.

WATCH: Jorge Garcia’s wife speaks out on husband’s deportation

Click to play video: 'Deported Michigan man living in U.S. since he was 10-years-old, torn away from family'
Deported Michigan man living in U.S. since he was 10-years-old, torn away from family

But the landscaper, who arrived as an undocumented immigrant, hasn’t been successful. He received several extensions under the Obama administration, according to CNN.

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In November, amid U.S. President Donald Trump‘s crackdown on illegal immigrants, Garcia learned he was to leave the country.

His deportation date was pushed back as the family tried to fight the ruling, and he was able to spend the holidays with his wife and two children, who are U.S. citizens.

WATCH: Trump says DACA part of immigration reform talks, says deal must ‘improve’ security for Americans

Click to play video: 'Trump says DACA part of immigration reform talks, says deal must ‘improve’ security for Americans'
Trump says DACA part of immigration reform talks, says deal must ‘improve’ security for Americans

Now, he can’t return to the country for a decade.

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Garcia’s wife, Cindy, spoke out on her husband’s deportation, describing the situation as a “nightmare.”

READ MORE: ‘No more Lotteries!,’ Donald Trump says in tweet amid immigration deal talks

“We’ve never done anything without permission from immigration, because anytime you leave the city, you have to tell them where you are going,” she said.

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The mother added that her children — a 15-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son — are “depressed” over their father’s departure.

WATCH: Federal judge blocks Trump’s efforts to remove DACA

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Federal judge blocks Trump’s efforts to remove DACA

“They don’t really comprehend everything that’s going on. All they know is that their dad is gone, and they don’t know when they’re going to see him again.”

The family had originally hoped for a new Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) law that would make him eligible to remain in the country. But the law’s future is currently up in the air.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Justice Department said it will ask the Supreme Court to overturn a judge’s ruling last week that blocked President Trump’s move to end the program.

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FACT CHECK: What the Trump administration said about DACA

A variety of Democratic state attorneys general, organizations and individuals challenged Trump’s action in multiple federal courts.

Garcia’s deportation also prompted protests at the airport, with demonstrators holding up signs that read, “Stop separating families.”

Supporters of Jorge Garcia hold up signs that read “Stop Separating Families” at Detroit Metro Airport. Niraj Warikoo /Detroit Free Press via AP

On social media, those viewing the family’s painful goodbye also voiced support for Garcia.

https://twitter.com/sahluwal/status/953029625440907265

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A petition launched on MoveOn.org, titled “Help Jorge Garcia return to his family in Lincoln Park!” currently sits at more than 3,000 signatures.

“Stop separating families! Allow Jorge Garcia to return to his family in Michigan and pass the Dream Act now,” it reads.

A separate campaign on GoFundMe, which appears to be launched by Garcia’s wife in efforts to raise money for legal fees, has netted $10,000.

— With files from the Associated Press, Reuters

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