"Without Him, I May Not Survive": Legally Blind Former Miss Hawaii Fights to Keep Her Husband and Caregiver of 17 Years from Deportation to Brazil

HONOLULU, HAWAII – Cheryl Bartlett, a legally blind former Miss Hawaii living with multiple serious health conditions, is fighting to prevent the deportation of her husband of 17 years, Rogerio Carlos Barbosa Araujo, who was detained by immigration authorities on October 28th in the parking lot of his apartment on Oahu. Rogerio currently sits in the Honolulu Federal Detention Center awaiting deportation to Brazil, leaving his wife without the daily care she depends on to survive.

"Rogerio is not just my husband—he is my lifeline," said Cheryl Bartlett. "He provides the loving care I need every single day as I navigate life with a permanent visual disability, metabolic disorder, and chronic kidney disease. Without him, I am at serious risk."

The couple has been married for 17 years, building a life together in Hawaii where Rogerio has become a cherished member of the community. He attends church weekly, cares for his elderly mother and her husband, and contributes regularly to the well-being of his elder in-laws. Those who know Rogerio describe him as compassionate, dedicated, and an integral part of the island's fabric.

Due to a legal complication and a broken immigration system, Rogerio has not yet gained U.S. citizenship through his marriage to Cheryl, despite their long union and his deep roots in the Hawaiian community.

"If Rogerio is removed from our home, I will be at great risk of harm, sickness, and possibly death," Cheryl said. "I am speaking out not only for Rogerio's case, but also to demand immigration reform that allows families like ours to stay together in the United States."

Cheryl is calling on immigration officials, elected representatives, and the public to intervene on behalf of her family and countless others facing similar heartbreak. She emphasizes that Rogerio poses no threat to the community—rather, he is a vital contributor and an irreplaceable caregiver to his wife.

About Cheryl Bartlett: Cheryl is a former Miss Hawaii (1986) and American citizen living with permanent visual disability, metabolic disorder, and chronic kidney disease. She has been married to Rogerio Carlos Barbosa Araujo for 17 years and resides on Oahu, where she advocates for immigration reform.