Spent a long day at #LongBeach Convention Center with my partner-in-good @Yliana_JM & team @ImmDef. A few things that I keep replaying in my head. Can’t stop thinking about a girl (11) and her little bro (7) who I met. They are nearly the exact same ages as my own son & daughter.
During a legal screening the siblings shared a truly heartbreaking story that I will not detail here explaining why they fled their home country. Suffice to say that they were harmed, at grave risk and are now desperate to reunite with their father who lives here in the US.
As part of our screening we ask specifically about how kids are treated in CBP custody. This young girl explained to me that her little brother and her were separated at the border in TX and placed into separate “hieleras.” They were separated for 4 terrifying days.
She described sleeping on a floor in a cold overcrowded cell. She told me about being given burritos that were still frozen. She told me about being awakened in the early morning by officers ripping Mylar blankets off her. She recounted constant yelling and officer kicking people
I asked if she was scared while in CBP custody. She said she was a little scared but that she was really scared for her brother who she had been separated from. She started to tear up and her little brother, like my own son would do, started to laugh slightly to break the tension
I turned & asked her little brother if he was scared while separated, & he smiled at me & said “I was really scared.” He is only 7. He has experienced things no kid should ever experience. His sister sat next to us and quickly asked “how long till we can go to our dad?”
I explained the reunification process. I asked how things are at the convention center. The kids say they like it there. They said they are being treated well. They liked the lasagna that they (and me) had for lunch. They are together and safe. They got to talk to their dad today
I ended the consulta the way I end all convos w/ kids at the Convention Center. I said we are happy they are here & safe. I told them they are welcome here in CA. I said we’re here to help if they need us. I told them I hope they are home with dad soon. #WelcomeWithDignity
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