A few years back, my partner and I took a nine-day trip to Italy for business blended with pleasure. Our children were left in the care of family back home, indulging in lake swims, cousin sleepovers, and daily sweet treats. After a delightful time filled with sightseeing and adult conversations, I found myself yearning to return to my children. I craved their hugs, wanted to see their adorable faces, and hear their playful chatter, even if it sometimes turned into whining.
However, a series of travel mishaps delayed our return, landing us in a hotel near Newark Airport for an unexpected night. The moment I learned we wouldn’t be able to see our kids that evening, I broke down in tears at the airport. The longing for home and my children was overwhelming; the thought of spending even one more night away felt unbearable.
This was merely one night. Can you fathom being separated from a child for months or even years? I certainly cannot.
Tragically, millions of families experience separation not just due to travel issues but because of physical barriers like walls and border patrol agents. Various legal complexities and dire circumstances compel some families to immigrate to the U.S. or remain in the country without proper documentation. In some instances, children arrive in the U.S. without legal status alongside their parents, who choose not to return to their home countries because they consider the U.S. their true home. At times, a single family member may lack legal documentation, even while the rest of the family holds legal residency.
When Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) identifies an undocumented immigrant, deportation may occur, leading to family separations. Regardless of one’s opinions on immigration policies, these narratives are heart-wrenching. This issue transcends “law and order” debates; it is fundamentally about compassion.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the organization Border Allies, families separated by the wall between San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico, can reunite for brief moments. Annually, the emergency door in this wall is opened to allow families to embrace, talk, and connect, even if just for a few fleeting minutes.
Border Allies organizes numerous events at Friendship Park, which lies on the U.S.-Mexico border. One highlight is Children’s Day, where volunteers traditionally bring toys and treats for kids affected by immigration challenges. Since 2013, the organization has successfully lobbied for the door to be opened on this day, allowing families to share precious moments together.
According to Luis Garcia, the executive director of Border Allies, they plan to expand similar events to the Texas and Arizona borders. The organization aims to promote the message that “love knows no borders” while shedding light on the negative impacts of current immigration laws and advocating for compassionate policies.
“Someone in Washington, regardless of their political affiliation, might see a little girl hugging her father for the first time and think, ‘We need humane immigration policies,’” Garcia expressed during an interview.
Border Allies’ humanitarian efforts extend far beyond a single day. With the support of thousands of volunteers, they engage in community education, organize water drops along migrant paths, deliver food and essentials to safe havens, and provide legal assistance to migrants in need. Their commitment is genuine—love transcends borders, and we are all interconnected, whether we acknowledge it or not.
“Only love can defeat hate,” Garcia reminds us, underscoring the power of compassion. Si se puede.
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Summary
The article addresses the emotional toll of family separation due to immigration laws and emphasizes the work of Border Allies in providing brief reunions for families affected by the border wall. It advocates for compassion in immigration policies, underscoring the organization’s broader humanitarian efforts throughout the year.
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