News Every Day |

I got deported in 2012 and lost my daughter. This the long-term impact.

On a cold November morning, I dropped off my four-year-old daughter at the bus stop and hugged her tight. I waved as the bus took her to kindergarten. But inside I was a mess. I was on my way to a court hearing to face a series of misdemeanor crimes from my teen years.  

That afternoon, I was taken into custody and a few months later, a judge would sign my deportation order. I couldn’t have imagined it would be 14 years before I would see my child again.

I’m sharing my family’s story because as the threat of mass deportation looms, many more families could suffer like mine did. In my case, the judge told me I could not take my child with me because she was born here and has an American father. My story is not unusual: In fact, recent research by immigration scholars at the USC School of Social Work found that 45 percent of deported immigrants leave behind one or more children in the U.S., many of them U.S. citizens. It’s a pain no parent or child should have to experience.

 The judge had delayed my deportation order to give me time to get a lawyer, but as an undocumented immigrant, I didn’t have a right to legal representation, and I couldn’t find anyone to help me. So in February 2012, a bus dropped me off at the Chaparral entry at San Ysidro, and I walked at dawn into Tijuana to a country I’d left when I was five months old. At first, my daughter’s father agreed to bring her to Tijuana for visits. But the plan quickly fell apart when he told me he was scared that I’d kidnap her. My heart sank when he cut off contact, changed his phone number and moved. I was frantic wondering what he was telling her about what had happened to me. I didn’t want her thinking I’d abandoned her. 

At first, I brainstormed desperate measures to get back home. I found a job doing administrative work and saved up to afford a coyote who could bring me across the desert, but I got scared when people told me how dangerous my plan was. In the meantime, my heart ached as so many birthdays, first days of school and holidays came and went. I felt so powerless as time passed, and I fell into a deep depression. 

A few years later, I found an American family lawyer who took my case pro bono. We hired a private detective who found my daughter, but my ex refused to show up at court proceedings and disappeared again. I was crushed but tried to move on with my life. I eventually fell in love again and gave birth to another daughter, but I still lived with a giant hole in my heart.

Four years ago, my prayers were answered. My ex’s sister called me out of the blue. “Your daughter is here,” she said. My then 14-year-old daughter had run away from her father’s house—she rebelled against his strict rules—and tracked down her aunt.  We would eventually have the tearful phone calls, as I explained how I’d been looking for her all these years. I offered for her to come live with me, but she wanted to stay in California to finish high school first. During those years, we did a lot of texting and FaceTime as I tried to make up for lost time. 

When my daughter turned 18, I invited her to come visit me in Mexico and meet her 9-year-old sister. In October, her boyfriend drove her down from Santa Ana across the border. It was surreal to see the beautiful woman she’d become—she has hazel green eyes and a sly smile—and I love how she’s resilient and determined but can be a total goofball, too. I’m hopeful we will continue to make new memories over time. Yet after she drove back across the border, it became even more clear what we’ve lost.

There is so much that we don’t know about Trump’s deportation plan. But as the administration decides who to target, I urge them to consider all the innocent people who might suffer as a result. My daughter was forced to grow up without her mother, and we both share a wound that will last a lifetime.  

Pricila Rivas is the Deportee Program Coordinator for the nonprofit Al Otro Lado and lives in Tijuana.

Москва

Младшая дочь Заворотнюк дебютировала в номере папы с его бессменной партнершей Наоми Ланг — видео

Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this

‘I can’t go into details’ – Liverpool boss Arne Slot breaks silence on red card controversy and mystery over ban

Team India players, including Rohit and Virat, head to Dubai for Champions Trophy

One of Britain’s oldest pubs suddenly closes after 570 years as punters cry ‘Friday nights won’t be the same’

Shamed football manager banned for life for thumping linesman in sickening attack

Ria.city
Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "15 февраля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...






Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "15 февраля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...


Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "15 февраля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...

Read also

Edison 10K Watt Party System Manual

Jamie Theakston issues health update as star says he needs to see his surgeon every month after cancer treatment

Shoppers are racing to nab ‘stunning’ new £6 Primark travel bag – there’s five colours & it’s perfect for EasyJet

News Every Day |

Ultra-woke parent group prez resigns, blasting officials as ‘fascists’

The lefty president of a woke Brooklyn parent group resigned last week with a scathing message blasting city officials as “fascists.” Marissa Manzanares, the interim president of the Community Education Council for District 14’s Greenpoint and Williamsburg, submitted her resignation on Monday, according to sources. “Dear FACE and DOE Fascist Administrators,” began her message to...
Ria.city
Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Если у вас диабет, прочтите это немедленно! Он лечится за 1 месяц

Калий ускоряет расщепление сахара снижая его уровень до 4,7. Утром съедайте 5 кислых…







Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "15 февраля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...

Read also

The best Disney+ deals and bundles in February 2025

Artists try to make Cameroon sing a different tune

‘I am overwhelmed’: Luigi Mangione sends Valentine's Day message as he launches fan site

News, articles, comments, with a minute-by-minute update, now on Today24.pro

News Every Day

Team India players, including Rohit and Virat, head to Dubai for Champions Trophy

Today24.pro — latest news 24/7. You can add your news instantly now — here


News Every Day

‘Goodness me’ – Former Masters champion Patrick Reed gets drenched in beer after making hole-in-one on famous party hole



Sports today


Новости тенниса
WTA

Александрова проиграла Анисимовой и не смогла выйти в финал турнира WTA в Дохе



Спорт в России и мире
Москва

Ефимов: за пять лет инвесторы построили в Москве 58 спортивных объектов



All sports news today





Sports in Russia today

Москва

“Нет, Наоми — это не наша семья”, – дочь Заворотнюк и Чернышева ревностно отнеслась к бывшей партнерше отца Наоми Ланг


Новости России

Game News

AMD is finally spilling the beans about the RX 9070 series during a live stream on February 28


Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this

Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this

Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Russian.city

Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this


Москва

Осенью в Москве пройдет выставка акварельной живописи, объединяющая художников из России и Китая


Губернаторы России
ОМОН

Кадеты шатурского «Гвардейского класса» посетили с экскурсией ОМОН «Пересвет» Росгвардии в преддверии дня образования подразделений боевой подготовки.


Ракета SpaceX вывела на орбиту более 20 интернет-спутников Starlink

"Ищите меня на дорогах Москвы": Звёзды пересаживаются на китайские авто. Киркоров, Бузова, Харламов - кто ещё похвастался новинками?

Кадеты шатурского «Гвардейского класса» посетили с экскурсией ОМОН «Пересвет» Росгвардии в преддверии дня образования подразделений боевой подготовки.

Учимся с умом: не дайте ИИ задурить вам голову


Оксана Самойлова показала Джигана-Зевса с белыми волосами

Учимся с умом: не дайте ИИ задурить вам голову

Певица Вика Цыганова ждет вхождения Эстонии в состав России из-за слов президента Литвы

«Я могу сказать одно»: как Ольга Бузова отреагировала на новость, что Давид Манукян станет отцом


Депутат Журова объяснила политикой разницу дел Синнера и Валиевой

Лидер рейтинга Ассоциации теннисистов-профессионалов Синнер получил трехмесячную дисквалификацию за нарушение антидопинговых правил

Делрей-Бич (ATP). 1/4 финала. Кецманович играет с Гироном, Фриц встретится с Давидовичем-Фокина

Медведев вышел в полуфинал турнира ATP в Марселе


Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine


Секрет профессионального ухода за кожей раскрыт: AIRY AROMA

ТОП-3 лучших сервисов доставки готовой еды в Москве

Учимся с умом: не дайте ИИ задурить вам голову

К праздникам «Тануки» запустили лимитированное меню


Охрана Певцов. Охрана Концертов. Охрана концертов мероприятий. Охрана Блогеров.

Кадеты шатурского «Гвардейского класса» посетили с экскурсией ОМОН «Пересвет» Росгвардии в преддверии дня образования подразделений боевой подготовки.

"Газпром" продает офисы и курорты в Москве и регионах: детали сделки

Посол Израиля в России: Удерживаемый ХАМАС россиянин Труфанов жив


Овчинский: Новостройка по программе реновации появится на Дмитровском шоссе

«Спартак» — «Торпедо». Видеотрансляция матча КХЛ: смотреть онлайн

ТОП-3 лучших сервисов доставки готовой еды в Москве

Зеленский назвал спектаклем желание Путина видеть Трампа на Дне Победы в Москве


Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine


Путин в России и мире
Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine



Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine



Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine



Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Персональные новости Russian.city
Егор Летов

Памятник Егору Летову предложили установить в центре паркового пруда в Омске



News Every Day

Team India players, including Rohit and Virat, head to Dubai for Champions Trophy




Friends of Today24

Музыкальные новости

Персональные новости