Families separated?!

Lucretia and I have been travelling a lot this summer, as we often do.  But while we were enjoying ourselves we heard news that families seeking asylum at the border were being traumatized as part of the administration's attempt to create enough fear among the immigrants that they would turn back before reaching the border.  A new policy was put in place, and in reality had been in the works for a few months, stating that those crossing with their children were charged with a crime.  Since the children could not be incarcerated with the adults they were separated and the children were housed separately.  The process was horrible in that often the parents were told that they were just taking them for a moment and then when separated not told anymore where they were being held.  Pictures were seen on the news of children warehoused in cages.   We heard that those working with the kids were told not to comfort them even though many were just too young to understand any of what was going on.

So we returned to the bus station after our trips and the reunions of families was a prevalent topic.  Our RAICES volunteers would ask about how long some had been separated.   Mothers and fathers stayed close to their kids.  Some of the kids showed an extra sensitivity about being away from their parent for even a little bit in the bus station.  The parents too were careful to be conscious of their surroundings and were usually in physical contact with their kids.

Letter to a separated Mom

As one of the families was being interviewed by the RAICES volunteer, I noticed the daughter who appeared to be in her early teens had a notebook of drawings and letters that she held in her hands.  I asked if I could take a picture of the letter that she had written to her Mom while they were separated.  I learned that they had been kept apart for what I recall to be many weeks.  The tactic being used was again an effort by ICE to coerce the mother to sign a voluntary deportation request in exchange for being reunited with her daughter.  In part because of the public outcry about this treatment, this mother and daughter were able to get back together and continue their asylum request and journey to a family sponsor.  During this time thousands of kids were separated from their mom or dad with even some being lost in a chaotic system lacking good record keeping.   Others signed the deportation orders in desperation in order to see their kids again even though they may well have had valid claims for asylum.

Her letter says in English:

For you mom,
       I love you very much.  I miss you very much along with my brothers (or siblings).
                                     Affectionately, D.