Actress Sarah Mitchell created a poignant video titled “My Name Is Elena,” which recounts the harrowing experience of a mother from Honduras who fled her country to seek safety for her young son in the United States. After requesting asylum, she was tragically separated from her child at the border. The emotional weight of her sworn statement, delivered by various celebrities, is truly heart-wrenching.
In partnership with the ACLU, Sarah enlisted the help of several well-known figures including Johnathan Lee, Emma Taylor, and Donnie Rivers, who lent their voices to share Elena’s story. This mother was separated from her 18-month-old son while crossing into Texas, hoping for a better life.
Elena’s Journey
In her letter, Elena describes her escape from Honduras, where her home was attacked by government forces. She explains, “On March 5, 2020, my son and I crossed the bridge in Matamoros, Texas, and approached U.S. immigration officials.” She emphasizes that her son is her only child, making the separation even more devastating.
Elena recalls the moment when immigration officers informed her that her son would be taken away. “They said he was going to one place while I would go to another. When I asked why, they offered no explanation,” she shares. Unbeknownst to her, seeking asylum would come at the cost of being torn from her child.
She vividly recounts the heartbreaking experience of putting her son into a government vehicle as he cried for her. “I didn’t have the opportunity to comfort him before they shut the door,” she said. While Elena was detained at a facility in Texas, her son was placed in a federally-funded foster home in San Antonio.
The Pain of Separation
During their time apart, a caseworker updated her on her son’s condition, revealing that he often cried for her. This separation filled Elena with despair; she struggled to eat or find joy. Over time, although her son stopped crying as frequently, he was not well. “The caseworker said he has an ear infection and a cough. I need to hold him and let him know his mother is here,” she expressed.
In a reflective essay published by CNN, Elena shares that she eventually reunited with her son on May 15, after an agonizing two months and 11 days apart. “Holding him again was a joy that words cannot describe,” she wrote. “He was the reason I persevered throughout our separation.”
A Call for Compassion
Elena’s story exemplifies the plight of many asylum-seeking parents who are unjustly separated from their children. She often thinks of other families still waiting to be reunited. “I pray for their strength and hope they find support, like I did from the other women in detention,” she said.
If you are interested in supporting families impacted by these circumstances, the ACLU has provided several actionable steps to help raise awareness.
Additional Resources
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Conclusion
In summary, the story of Elena highlights the emotional turmoil faced by families seeking asylum in the U.S., emphasizing the urgent need for change and compassion in the system.
Keyphrase: “asylum-seeking families”
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