When a co-worker allegedly grabbed her hair, threw her to the ground and hit her in the face, Veronica Ramirez Verduzco did what most people would do: She went to the police.

But asking the Van Buren Township Police Department for help likely ensures her removal from Michigan and the United States.

Federal officers arrested Ramirez Verduzco last week on immigration-related charges. They argue the native of Mexico does not have authorization to be in the U.S., and returned despite previous deportations. Immigration officials did not know she lived in Michigan until February when she went to local police to report the assault allegation, records show.

Lisa Dwyer, Ramirez Verduzco's court appointed lawyer, said during her client's arrest, people in unmarked clothes swarmed her car. They busted her window and dragged the 4-foot-10, 49-year-old mother of two out of her driver's seat, scratching her arm in the process. She has been detained ever since.