In the aftermath of the previous administration, many parents are left to navigate tough conversations with our children about the state of our nation. The policies enforced during that time were not merely headlines; they were lived experiences that impacted families deeply. As a daughter of immigrants and a woman of color, I felt the weight of these policies both in my work and at home.
In early 2018, I began my role at the ACLU as a federal immigration policy advocate during a time when immigrant communities faced ongoing hostility from the government. Just a month into my tenure, my colleagues took legal action against the administration for forcibly separating a mother, Ms. A, from her 7-year-old daughter. The image of Ms. A hearing her daughter’s desperate cries for help still haunts me. For four agonizing days, she had no idea where her child was, while her daughter sat frightened and alone in a facility thousands of miles away. By the time we initiated our lawsuit, they had already been apart for four months, limited to only six brief phone calls.
As we expanded our lawsuit, more heartbreaking stories emerged, revealing that some of these children were mere infants, still nursing. My professional life became consumed by the painful realities of family separations, while at home, I struggled to explain this injustice to my own child, who was nearly three. My partner and I, now expecting a second child, took our son to demonstrations, teaching him to chant “families belong together,” all the while knowing that children his age were being taken from their parents.
Over the following years, as family separations persisted, I welcomed a second child. My oldest began to inquire more about my work, and I slowly introduced him to the ACLU’s mission. I would explain, “Your family came from another country, and most people here have similar stories. Mommy advocates for fair treatment of immigrants, especially for Black immigrants who face additional challenges.”
This past year, amid a pandemic and social justice movements, my oldest turned five, expressing concern about leaders who “kick people out of the country,” while my youngest was blissfully unaware, content to ride in her stroller. Although I am knowledgeable about immigration policy, I am foremost a mother and a second-generation immigrant. Discussing these complex issues with my children has been challenging. I tread carefully, balancing the need to inform them about racism and xenophobia while also helping them recognize their privilege and the importance of compassion.
The struggles of immigrant families are not just lessons for my children; they represent the harsh reality for 11 million undocumented individuals in this country who live in fear of separation from their loved ones. The trauma inflicted on approximately 5,500 families due to the previous administration’s policies cannot be overlooked. Words alone are not enough; we must channel our emotions into action and seek meaningful change.
The lasting harm these separations cause to children is undeniable. Our government, funded by taxpayer dollars, must take responsibility and begin to heal these wounds. The path ahead for these families is long, but the Biden administration can take immediate action to reunite them without needing new legislation.
As parents, we can only imagine the anguish of fleeing your home, reaching a place that feels safe, only to have your children forcibly removed. We have the chance to advocate for justice for families wronged by our government and ensure that such violations never occur again. This Valentine’s Day, my kindergartner and toddler will send a card to President Biden, urging him to reunite separated families in the U.S. and provide them with the resources and support they deserve, alongside a commitment to prevent future separations.
While I may never know if I’ve conveyed the right messages to my children, I hope they will remember this period as one where they witnessed injustice and learned how to voice their concerns, advocating for a nation that treats everyone with dignity and compassion.
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Summary:
This op-ed reflects on the emotional toll of family separations caused by past immigration policies, advocating for immediate action from the Biden administration to reunite affected families and ensure fair treatment of immigrants. It emphasizes the importance of educating children about these issues and encouraging them to take action against injustices.
Keyphrase: Family separation and immigration reform
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