In light of the Trump Administration’s controversial “zero-tolerance” immigration approach, the separation of families has had devastating consequences. A disturbing report from The Nation reveals that a 6-year-old girl was subjected to multiple instances of sexual abuse while at an immigrant detention center.
In May, the young girl and her mother arrived in the United States, seeking refuge from gang violence in Guatemala. They expressed a “credible fear” of returning home but were tragically separated upon arrival. The girl was placed in Casa Verde, a shelter located near Phoenix, Arizona.
Approximately a month later, the child’s father, an undocumented immigrant residing in the U.S., received alarming news from the shelter: his daughter had been inappropriately touched by another child. The shelter assured him they would address the situation. However, instead of taking proper action, they had the 6-year-old sign a form stating she would “keep her distance from the other youth involved” and that she had been informed about “good touch, bad touch.” This placed the onus of safety on the victim, which is utterly unacceptable.
Unfortunately, the abuse did not stop there. The father received yet another call informing him that his daughter had been fondled again by the same boy. When he sought clarity on how this could repeatedly occur, he was met with silence. Meanwhile, the girl’s mother was left feeling powerless as she learned of her daughter’s suffering from afar. “I felt really horrible. I couldn’t do anything for her, because we were separated,” she recounted. “It was a nightmare.”
Fortunately, the family has been reunited with assistance from Families Belong Together, a movement dedicated to ending the zero-tolerance policy. However, the little girl continues to struggle with the trauma inflicted upon her. “I hugged her, I was crying. She didn’t recognize me,” her mother shared, expressing the pain of their separation. “She thought I was never going to be with her again.” She noted her daughter’s behavior had changed drastically, explaining, “She wakes up every morning at 6 a.m., takes a bath, eats, and acts like she is programmed.” Despite being back together, the family faces an uncertain future. “I don’t know what to hope for. I don’t know what will happen,” said the girl’s father, expressing a glimmer of hope that their reunion might lead to healing.
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In summary, the story of this young girl highlights the severe consequences of immigration policies that separate families and fail to protect vulnerable children. While the family has been reunited, the psychological impact of their ordeal remains a significant concern.
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