Yesterday we received news that a detained immigrant mother of three young children rep'd by @RAICESTEXAS was to be released and reunited with her sons in NY. She has been detained over two months despite being an asylum seeker who passed the credible fear interview.
Her youngest child turned 3 on July 2nd, in federal custody WITHOUT HIS MOTHER.
BDS attorneys, jumping in as co-counsel, rushed to Federal Plaza with social workers to assist the family in the reunification. The mother spent literally the entire day waiting to be with her children again.
Despite being told that they would be reunited in compliance with the court order, the children were never brought and the mom was told DHS could not fit her (and 3 other parents) with ankle bracelets because of a tech issue, so they would take her back to jail.
BDS staff did everything in their power, tirelessly advocating in every corner possible. Despite these efforts, this mother had to ended another day separated from her children.
Early this morning, BDS received word that the children were finally on their way from the shelter to be reunited with their mother. TODAY.
BDS staff has been told that mom and her children are now together and being "processed." We are waiting for all four of them to be released to us NOW. More update as they happen.
As we wait for the family to be released, our social worker tells the scene of the kids' backpacks and a package of diapers in the waiting room. Little backpacks.
Mom and kids are at the ISAP (Intensive Supervision Alternative Program) waiting for mom to be fitted with an ankle bracelet--the reason the family wasn't reunited yesterday. Our attorneys aren't being let in to counsel.
She shouldn't even need an ankle bracelet. Studies show people with case management and lawyers have high appearance rates. The Trump administration ended the Family Case Management Program in favor of detention. nbcnews.com/storyline/immi…
THEY'RE OUT AND TOGETHER. After more than two months of detention and separation, these three children are finally back with their mom. 
They are now headed in a car, surrounded by amazing volunteers and support to shower, eat and get a change of clothes. After that, they will be taken to the airport to all fly back to California to be with family thanks to volunteers who covered airfare (donating money & miles!)
This was a coordinated effort with @RAICESTEXAS and @TRLA. Extra thanks for the final push by @CathCharitiesNY, @thenyic, @wrcommission who helped us escalate and share intel through this painful process.
The family is in a volunteer's home in Brooklyn right now, showered, clothed, eating, and watching the World Cup. "We're just moms helping other moms," says the host.
