A new documentary from GBH News tells the story of a Chelsea family whose life changed after a husband and father was taken into federal immigration custody.

They Took My Husband follows Brenda Romero and her three daughters as they cope with the detention of Romero's husband, Milton Mejia. Released October 28, 2026, the short film explores their efforts to remain financially stable amid uncertainty over whether Mejia can remain in the United States.

The film shows how detention can affect an entire household, from paying everyday bills to helping children cope with a parent's prolonged absence.

A Family Seeking Safety

Romero and Mejia came to the United States from Honduras after threats and violence involving people connected to a narcotrafficking cartel. According to GBH's documentary report, their relatives faced danger after rejecting involvement with the criminal organization.

Romero's sister was killed in 2012, and Mejia's uncle was murdered that year. Mejia had narrowly escaped an attempted stabbing in 2011. The couple sought protection in the United States and hoped to build a safer future.

On September 12, 2025, Mejia attended an appointment at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services asylum office in Boston. GBH reported that he had just passed a reasonable-fear interview, a step in seeking protection from removal, when ICE agents detained him.

Within days, Mejia was transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana, approximately 1,600 miles from his family and legal representation. That distance complicated an already difficult situation.

The Challenges Left Behind

Without her husband at home, Romero has faced the responsibility of supporting her daughters while managing the family's finances. Housing stability has become a particular concern.

GBH followed Romero as she dealt with the loss of her husband's income and the possibility of further instability. Her daughters have also had to adjust to their father's absence and an uncertain future.

One daughter, 18-year-old Nathaly Rodriguez, described the shock of experiencing an immigration detention in her own family after previously hearing about similar situations affecting others.

The documentary explores how Romero has become more involved in immigration-rights advocacy while pursuing help for her husband. Beyond the legal issues, it shows everyday household responsibilities continuing while the family awaits an answer.

Chelsea Community Connections

GBH senior video producer Emily Judem learned more about Romero's circumstances during a meeting at La Colaborativa in Chelsea. The organization supports families dealing with housing, employment, economic and immigration-related challenges.

Its programs and services include housing assistance, education, organizing and economic support. The film focuses on this family rather than claiming to represent every immigration case in Chelsea.

Romero and Mejia's situation is also separate from the Ramirez Sanan family's federal lawsuit concerning a different ICE encounter near Chelsea District Court.

Where the Case Stands

In January 2026, an immigration judge in Texas ordered Mejia's deportation, according to GBH. Mejia appealed. As of the documentary's October 28 release, he remained detained in Louisiana while awaiting the outcome.

The reporting did not establish a final decision. Residents can watch the documentary and read the accompanying report.

For Chelsea viewers, the film offers an intimate account of one mother's determination to care for her daughters while hoping for her husband's return.