Because of the incredible work from the groups Al Otro Lado, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, and Families Belong Together, Sandra Ortíz and Bryan Chávez were reunited yesterday after spending three long years separated due to Trump’s zero tolerance policy.
Although the significance of seeing this family’s reunification cannot be overstated, it still comes with the painful reminder that hundreds of children remain separated from their parents years after these policies were put into place and nothing can erase the long-term trauma caused from this cruel practice.
Here are some of the tweets from those who worked on the case or covered the story:
This is Bryan. After 3 yrs of separation from his mom due to Trump’s zero tolerance policy, he will finally reunite w/her this week. Despite such a traumatic experience, Bryan is fighting back by joining #TeamImmDef to help children like him know their rights. https://t.co/lOZr6FhxtA pic.twitter.com/UhrQeslUaa
— ImmDef (@ImmDef) May 4, 2021
Today, after over three excruciating years of separation, our client Sandra is holding her son Bryan in her arms again. This moment was a testament to the resilience strength, + determination of a parent who asked for nothing more than safety for themselves + their children. https://t.co/JtaTTi0nZw
— Al Otro Lado (@AlOtroLado_Org) May 5, 2021
Proud of the work of @fams2gether, Immigrant Defenders Law Center and Al Otro Lado. These groups are doing amazing work, and a HUGE thank you to the Biden administration for working to end this national nightmare. https://t.co/9hNM7sfoeD
— Xochitl Hinojosa (@XochitlHinojosa) May 5, 2021
Seeing Bryan Chavez reunite with his mom on #maddow: pic.twitter.com/zpoPP87EHz
— Resistance Witch 🌊😷🇵🇱👩⚕️😺🚀 (@trumpocalyps17) May 5, 2021
A hug over 3 years in the making.
Thank you Brian & Sandra for not giving up.#FamiliesBelongTogether https://t.co/LNim5HxTEc
— Alida Garcia (@leedsgarcia) May 4, 2021
“You are not going to see her anymore,” the immigration officer told Chavez. Then the officer turned to his mother Sandra Ortiz. “And you will go to prison.” Chavez went to an facility in California. His mother, who didn’t pass an initial asylum screening, was deported to Mexico.
— Esmeralda Bermudez (@BermudezWrites) May 5, 2021
Al Otro Lado is humbled and honored to have played a role along with our partners in justice @ImmDef. We look forward to many more reunifications and to the Biden administration fulfilling its commitment to redress the harms of this torturous policy.
— Al Otro Lado (@AlOtroLado_Org) May 5, 2021
Esto es solo el comienzo. Todavía nos falta mucho por hacer para reparar el daño hecho a las familias separadas por la crueldad de la administración de Trump.
— Families Belong Together (@fams2gether) May 5, 2021
