Even worse was a mom who came to the US with her daughter “Celia” (not her real name). Her other daughter had been kidnapped by the gang a month ago and never seen again. The gang said Celia was “next,” and threatened to kill the rest of the family, so they left. 
It’s taken me a while to write about the time I spent with the Dilley Pro Bono Project at the immigrant family detention center. It’s difficult to put into words the jarring mix of hopefulness and fear, the moms waiting for news and the laughter, crying and sniffles of children.
The detention center holds women and children, mostly from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The women we worked with were mothers, protectors. Many had survived horrific trauma of domestic violence from partners and spouses, or escaped gang violence and death or rape threats.
Most were certain that they would be killed if they returned to their country of origin. All were most afraid that their children would be killed. I would be honored to call all of them my fellow US citizens someday.
Asking whether clients had been “abused” was not effective: the answer was nearly always “no.” When I asked the same woman if she had been hit, kicked, punched, slapped, or raped, she would say “yes, all the time,” “yes, I had black eyes,””yes, he used a belt,”yes,” “yes,” “yes.”
A child, maybe 2-4 years old, was airlifted via helicopter for medical treatment while I was in Dilley. The child’s mother was not allowed to go to the hospital. I heard the call when I was waiting to accompany a client to their Credible Fear Interview.
The call came in over the walkie talkie of a guard who was standing next to me. It sounded like the person calling for immediate help said the child was unresponsive. I forced myself to ignore what I’d just heard in order to focus on my client.
Some of the mothers I worked with said they’d asked for a psychologist for their children who had experienced significant trauma and violence. None had been granted a visit.
These moms and their kids are not criminals, but they are locked in a detention center with guards, detention-center-issued clothes, arbitrary rules and enforcement of those rules, and are not permitted to leave.
Some of the guards actively discourage women from seeking legal advice. Past tests determined the water in Dilley to be contaminated with e coli and arsenic. Volunteers bring their own bottled water, but the moms and kids have to drink the tap water.
Women who get a negative decision receive it in writing right away. Women who get a positive decision, permitting them to stay in the US, wait up to a week. It’s unclear why they’re not notified of a positive decision immediately so they can get their kids out of the facility.
The small staff at the Dilley Pro Bono Project are phenomenal, and put in long hours every week. I can't speak highly enough of them, but it's so great to know that folks who are so caring, thoughtful, smart, and dedicated are working with these families every day. ❤
The Trump administration recently announced that it will limit the number of asylum seekers to 30,000 per year. In one week, we helped 321 women. Most of these women brought at least one child with them. The moms and kids at Dilley alone would likely exceed the 30,000 limit.
Every one of the volunteers last week spent 12-15 hours a day with these families, and we all agree it was well worth our time. Many of us are looking to return.
I try not to think about sending these moms and kids back to their countries, or the blood on our hands when we do.
I try not to think about sending these moms and kids back to their countries, or the blood on our hands when we do.
Donate here to help the Dilley Pro Bono Project hire staff attorneys: secure.everyaction.com/BS6Q9eElpEuRBx….
Dilley Pro Bono Project Amazon wishlist and supply list is available here: amazon.com/gp/registry/wi….
#EndFamilyDetention #Dilley #DilleyTX
#EndFamilyDetention #Dilley #DilleyTX
Thank you @mgremb for your compassion and for making a difference!
Please DONATE to support Lawyers for Good Government and
♦️Project Corazon♦️
by texting CORAZON to 91999
Never give up. Never give in.
Always #Resist
#LawyersResist #L4GG
lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/project-corazo…
Please DONATE to support Lawyers for Good Government and
♦️Project Corazon♦️
by texting CORAZON to 91999
Never give up. Never give in.
Always #Resist
#LawyersResist #L4GG
lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/project-corazo…
