VENICE, Fla. — More than 50,000 people are now in immigration detention centers around the country; a number that now includes an honor student from Sarasota County.

Maria "Lulu" Martinez was brought from Mexico to Florida as a child and is now facing a new life in her home country. Her family tells 10 Tampa Bay they are worried for her safety if she is sent back.

“She's part of this community and she's very responsible,” Martinez’s mother, Lourdes, said through an interpreter, adding they were able to speak briefly Friday morning. “She's very strong, and she told me to stay calm, not to worry too much, and she's just processing everything that's happening to her.”

She showed us her daughter’s honor roll certificates from high school and says the associate’s diploma from the State Co

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