Woman awaiting citizenship has monitor removed

AVENTURA, Fla. (WSVN) -- A mother who was supposed to be deported back to her native Colombia has learned her new fate as a new immigration policy is now in place.

Melina Diaz is exited and relieved after the ankle monitoring device that she had to wear for nine months was removed Tuesday. "It's like a relief that I feel, that I don't have that anymore. It's great not having it, and when I took it off I was like 'Oh, my God, finally,'" said Diaz.

Diaz was brought to the United States from Colombia when she was 12 years old. She was set to be deported and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) fitted her with an ankle bracelet. "It's like you feel free. It's completely different, I mean everything, even to sit down. When you sit down you feel different," said Diaz.

Diaz had to wear the ankle monitor even though she had no criminal history and despite President Barack Obama's new order against it.

Diaz's attorney Nera Shefer argued to ICE because she has a child that was born in the U.S. and is now married. "He announced that only those with a criminal record could be prosecuted and would be deported back to there country," said Shefer.

The ankle monitor came off while Diaz applies for U.S. citizenship. "I live here 12 years and over there eight years, so this is what I know," said Diaz. "Now I'm gonna have more opportunities. I can study. I could get a good job, so I can have a better future for me and my daughter."

Diaz's citizen process can take her two years.

(Copyright 2012 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)