Girl, denied access to U.S., will try again

By the CNN Wire Staff STORY HIGHLIGHTSEmily Ruiz, 4, a U.S. citizen, was turned away at airportShe was traveling with her Guatemalan grandfather, who was denied entryHer father says he didn't understand what was happening (CNN) -- A 4-year-old U.S. citizen who was denied entry into the country earlier this month will attempt the journey again, an attorney representing her said.

Emily Ruiz, the daughter of two Guatemalan immigrants who are living in the United States illegally, had spent five months vacationing with her grandparents in Guatemala. When the grandfather flew her home this month, however, he was stopped at the airport for a previous immigration violation.

He was denied entry into the United States, and it placed Emily in the middle of an immigration quagmire. According to her family, immigration officials gave her parents two options: Emily could be deported to Guatemala with her grandfather, or she could be turned over to state custody. She returned to Central America.

But officials say they gave Emily's father the opportunity to pick her up, as she is a U.S. citizen. The pair was stopped in Washington. The Ruiz family lives in Long Island, New York.

The father, who speaks limited English, said he did not understand if that was indeed offered.

Attorney David Sperling flew to Guatemala on Monday to attempt a return trip with Emily. He was expected to speak at a press conference in the afternoon.

CNN's Adriana Hauser contributed to this report.

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