Thread by @sewell_holly

This is Byron. He was separated as a result of the zero tolerance policy and has remained in detention for 7 months. He deserves a warm, loving home in which to await his case but isn't allowed. Here is our family's story: @RAICESTEXAS

We have been trying to keep things quiet while we go through this process because it is deeply personal and confusing to navigate, But our ultimate goal was to get Byron out of detention and into our home by Xmas. We have a power of attorney from his parents to care for him.

Byron is a sweet 9-year-old boy who walked over 1,600 miles from Guatemala to escape the violence and direct threats from gangs in his town. Last year, his dad was attacked by these gangs and left for dead.

Once recovered, Byron’s dad gathered his son, said goodbye to his wife and small child, and made his way to the US border. When they reached their destination and asked for help, Byron was taken from his dad, and his dad was sent back to Guatemala.

Why would someone travel all that way to seek asylum and return without their child? The reason Byron’s dad asked for asylum in the first place is because of his deep Christian faith and his belief that Americans are good people who don’t turn their backs on people in need.

Because of his faith, he has been targeted by local gangs who have explicitly said that they will bring Byron into their ranks if Byron stays in Guatemala. Byron’s parents love him dearly and, just like any parent, would do whatever they can for their children.

For the last few months, we have been trying to get Byron out of a federal detention center and into our home so we can foster him until his dad’s asylum claim can be resolved.

It has been impossible.

There is no precedent set for anyone to care for a child who falls in between being labeled an "unaccompanied minor" and awaiting legal proceedings by being separated as a result of the zero tolerance policy if they are not related to the family.

Programs exist that allow foster to care for unaccompanied minors but these kids in limbo are treated differently. With no related family, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) will not allow them to be in our home.

Even with a power of attorney from Byron's parents ORR denied us: “In the absence of sufficient evidence of a bonafide social relationship with the child and/or the child’s family that existed before the child migrated to the US, the child will not be released to the individual.”

Byron and his dad were so desperate to protect their child that they completely put their faith in God and the goodness of the American people. They had no social relationships here -- but they have us now and we want to help them.

Byron was detained in a foreign land, only speaking his native language of Q'eqchi. But with the help of translators, we spoke directly to Byron while in detention and directly to his parents in Guatemala via video conference.

Upon seeing our house and the food in the background Byron asked, “Would I be allowed to eat the food?” And seeing the toys in the background asked, “Can I also be allowed to play with the toys?”

These are the important things on his mind while in the detention center. We need to get these kids out of there. They belong in warm loving homes, not a guarded facility that is run like a prison. Nine-year-olds don’t belong in prison.

No matter what one believes should or shouldn't happen with immigration policy and no matter if a child arrives here legally or illegally, they are being caught in the middle and kept from their families. Children need homes.

The fight isn’t over, though. If we can get Byron out of there, it will open the door to many of the other kids in his same position, waiting for their parents’ claims, to have the chance to stay with qualified, loving families.

Byron’s lawyer works pro bono cases and fights every day to reunite these families and find better homes for these kids. Here is the lawyer’s information as a way to keep updated or to contribute toward helping him reunite these families:
deandalawfirm.com

They do not belong in this situation, especially during the holidays. Byron should be with us. There is no reason why a child with the permission of their parents shouldn’t be able to stay wherever the parents decide.

The cost of these kids staying in detention centers is between $775-$1200 per day, per child. We, the American Taxpayers, are paying $775-$1200 per day, per child to have them stay in detention camps. We are willing to take on the cost of Byron ourselves.

I know we aren’t alone in our willingness and ability to provide for these kids. We just need to help others know how to do it and there needs to be a way in place for ORR to allow it to happen.

Here is where we need your help - we need you to share this story to get the word out to help us help Byron. If we can raise awareness, we feel that a change to the protocol can happen not just for Byron but also for the many other children in his situation.

We are not giving up.
Please follow our journey and I will be updating.
#endfamilyseparation
#FamiliesBelongTogether
#freethechildren
@ricardo_de_anda
@ACLU
@ActionNetworkHQ
@Alyssa_Milano
#aplaceforbyron