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Emily Ruiz, L.I. Girl Caught In Immigration Nightmare, Is Coming Home

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A 4-year-old Long Island girl caught in an immigration quagmire is coming back home.

Emily Samantha Ruiz was schedule to return from Guatemala Tuesday night to be reunited with her parents and younger brother in Brentwood, however her final arrival has been delayed due to extenuating circumstances.

A press conference announcing her arrival will be held on Wednesday, March 30 at 10 a.m.

1010 WINS' Mona Rivera speaks with the family's attorney

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Emily was caught in an immigration nightmare that her family's attorney, David Sperling, said has left her traumatized.

"This story is going to come out in the next few days about the terrible treatment that this 4-year-old girl received," Sperling told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera by phone from Guatemala. "The details that are going to come out are going to be shocking."

The family said Emily was deported after her grandfather was detained by authorities when their flight was diverted to Washington following a visit to Guatemala. Emily's a U.S. citizen. Her parents are illegal immigrants living in Brentwood.

Sperling said Emily's grandfather had a work visa but was taken into custody when officials noticed he had entered illegally in the 1990s.

Authorities told the family Emily could be held at a juvenile center in Virginia or return to Guatemala. The two went back.

"You have no idea what she went through with Customs and Border Protection, the way that she was mistreated," Sperling said. "She was basically deported even though she's a U.S. citizen and what they made her go through is unconscionable."

Emily's parents risk being detained if they go get her. Sperling was in Guatemala Tuesday waiting to bring Emily back home.

"Emily, she's very happy and very anxious to see her mom and dad," Sperling said.

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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