MIAMI (AP) — President Donald Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy has separated more than 5,000 children from their families at the Mexico border during his first term. As the current administration continues to enforce strict immigration measures, border crossings remain at a record low, but a new wave of enforcement is creating heart-wrenching separations within the U.S.
Federal officials are detaining tens of thousands of asylum-seekers and migrants, while families are torn apart as parents are arrested and deported, often with little warning. The U.S. government was holding an average of over 66,000 detainees in November, marking the highest numbers on record.
In stark contrast to the first administration’s forced separations at the border, current policies are resulting in parents being taken away from their children during domestic raids. Families are left in anguish, often without clear lines of communication about their loved ones’ whereabouts, and the emotional toll is severe.
Three families recently highlighted their stories, emphasizing the personal struggles and emotional distress tied to the U.S. immigration policy. Antonio Laverde, a migrant from Venezuela, was arrested under suspicion by federal agents, resulting in his children experiencing extreme distress. Meanwhile, Yaoska, a Nicaraguan migrant, recounts the devastating impact of her husband’s detention on their children, while Amavilia, a long-term Guatemalan residency-holder, faced the painful reality of her partner's deportation.
Both everyday life and plans for the future hang in the balance for these families, as they navigate the complexities of immigration enforcement that threaten to disrupt and dismantle their lives once again.
