Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ When a guard took away this migrant’s 5-month-old baby, she protested.

“But I'm still breastfeeding him, you know.”

It doesn't matter, the guard said.

“No, but I'm breastfeeding.”

We still have to take them, the guard said.

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2/ This is the story of a family of six that faced seemingly every possible hurdle under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

It starts in Guatemala. trib.it/k9

3/ Sometime in February, Sandy — the mother — started getting anonymous phone calls: “If you don’t listen to me, there will be consequences.”

“I’m going to go get your husband and your kids.” trib.it/k9

4/ The family moved, took the kids out of school and decided to head north. Sandy and her four kids went first. Her husband, Marcos, came later. trib.it/k9

5/ In late May, Sandy and her children crossed the Gateway International Bridge, seeking asylum. Shortly after, they were separated. trib.it/k9

6/ While in the shelter, the kids called their grandmother — Hilda — every Tuesday and Friday.

The 5-year-old boy’s joy seemed to be gone on the phone, Hilda said. “It breaks my heart to talk to him.”

Here's how Hilda describes her grandchildren.

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7/ The kids weren’t allowed to hug or touch each other, a common policy in children’s shelters. “I am worried,” Sandy said. “Worried that they’re not getting the warmth of their mother.” trib.it/k9

8/ These are some of the drawings and letters Hilda received from her grandchildren while they were detained.

“They keep on saying that they want to leave that place,” Sandy told her mother. trib.it/k9

9/ Meanwhile, Marcos had not managed to cross the bridge into the United States. His way was blocked by three armed Customs and Border Protection agents who simply told him to wait. trib.it/k9

10/ In June, Sandy went before an immigration judge, who decided she deserved more time to argue her case for asylum.

It was a rare success. trib.it/k9

11/ Earlier, an official had decided her case didn’t pass muster, and she faced immediate deportation.

Now, she had a chance to stay.

“She must have had some fire inside her to stand up for herself. That’s the only way she was able to do it.” trib.it/k9

12/ Eventually, Sandy was released and reunited with her kids.

But she was left at the bus station, with four kids, including a 6-month-old baby, for eight hours. trib.it/k9

13/ Sandy told us she was happy.

She was finally back with her kids after they were separated.

But her difficulties aren't over yet.

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14/ The road ahead for the family will be long.

Sandy can never get permanent residency status. She cannot include her four children in her asylum case; all of them must apply for asylum separately. trib.it/k9

15/ For now, Sandy wears an ankle monitor and must check in at an ICE office regularly.

If the ankle monitor battery goes dead, or she can’t make it to a check-in, she could be deported. trib.it/k9

16/16 And she remains apart from her husband, Marcos. trib.it/k9