Former actress Jewel Mische recently made a candid revelation on social media, sharing that she nearly faced deportation from the United States during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—an experience she described as deeply frightening and emotionally heavy.
In an Instagram post, Jewel recalled that the incident happened during Donald Trump’s first term as U.S. president, at a time when she was caring for a newborn and a toddler. While her husband and children are U.S. citizens, she herself had not yet secured citizenship then.
“During President Trump’s first term, I personally went through the ICE process,” Jewel shared.
“While my husband and children are U.S. citizens, I faced a very real possibility of deportation—and the devastating reality that I could be separated from my children and my husband, leaving them behind.”
The former Kapuso actress admitted that the fear she felt during that period was “real and heavy,” knowing that deportation was a constant possibility. Despite this, she expressed gratitude that she was treated fairly under the law and was eventually granted U.S. citizenship.
“Because of that experience, I don’t speak about immigration lightly,” Jewel said. “I grieve for families who are suffering right now. I grieve for innocent people who are affected. I deeply wish that pain was not part of the process.”
Her post came after, according to Jewel, assumptions were made about her political stance. She clarified that while she empathizes deeply with immigrants and families affected by immigration enforcement, she continues to support the role of the U.S. president and identifies as a Republican.
“But holding compassion for those who suffer does not require me to attack the President,” she explained.
“I am Republican. I support the role of the President. That does not mean I agree with every decision or approach, nor does it mean I lack compassion.”
Jewel emphasized that, for her, empathy for those who are hurting and belief in lawful order can coexist.
“Two things can be true at once: I can care deeply for people who are hurting—and still believe in lawful order,” she said, adding that she continues to pray both for national leadership and for those affected by immigration policies.
Jewel Mische rose to fame after winning ‘StarStruck’ in 2007. She stepped away from show business in 2015 after marrying her American husband, Alex Kurzer. The couple now live in Michigan with their three daughters.
