CALEXICO, Calif. (KGTV) - Twenty-nine migrants were processed at the Calexico Port of Entry after non-profits say they were separated from their children and deported.
Sandra Cordero, Director at Families Belong Together, said 27 children ages 5 to 15 have been separated from their parents. Some for more than a year. Cordero said the parents came from Central America, including Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
Together Risingand Al Otro Lado raised money to fly the parents to Tijuana. Cordero said they stayed in Tijuana for two weeks preparing to go to the Calexico Port of Entry. Cordero said they presented themselves Saturday morning and U.S. Customs and Border Protection told them the detention center was at capacity.
While waiting, Cordero shared some of the parents' stories, "he was trying to prepare his son because he knew they would be separated but he couldn't find the words or the feeling of how he was going to tell him that," Speaking about a man named Jose from Guatemala. He stood beside her while she spoke and wiped away tears.
After 10 hours, the parents were brought in to process their asylum requests.
"We just found out that they're going to accept five families at a time and they're letting them all in, so thank you thank you thank you," Amanda Doyle, Vice President of Together Rising, said tearfully.
"I think it was really us, our presence here, and the presence of all of our supporters online, calling tweeting, pressuring, we're so lucky to have all these supporters that made today happen," Cordero said.
Cordero said they would be back Sunday to ensure the parents were being processed quickly so they may be connected with their U.S. sponsors and ultimately reunited with their children. Cordero said they have lawyers who know where the children are and going through procedures to ensure they can be released to their parents.
