Marcela's Story (English)
On June 17, 2018 I entered the United States with the hope of finding support and safety in this country, but what I found upon arriving with my son at my side was a nightmare. I made the decision to make this difficult journey because I was fleeing extortions in my country.
On June 17 of this year, immigration detained us and quickly transferred us to the “icebox” where I was separated from my son in an inhumane manner. An immigration official said that my son would be taken to a shelter while my [legal] situation was resolved, then I was transferred to the “dog pound” without any information about my son. I asked the officials for information about my son but they refused to give it to me. After having arrived at the “dog pound” they handcuffed us and tortured us psychologically saying that we wouldn’t see our children again as they had been transferred to the custody of the government. Then they took us in front of a judge and told us that we had to plead guilty of having entered this country. Then I was transferred to Port Isabel. They treated us in an inhumane manner like criminals when the only mistake we made was to enter this country asking for help. I had no communication with my son and was trying to get information about him, but no one gave us any answers. We only received insults from the officials. They gave us nicknames and made fun of us when they saw us crying for our children. I was separated from my son for a month.
On July 18 they returned my son to me and we were transferred to Dilley. I have now been detained here over 40 days with my son and our situation has not been resolved. I believe that it is time that they let us free because we, both mothers and children, have been punished a lot.
On June 17 of this year, immigration detained us and quickly transferred us to the “icebox” where I was separated from my son in an inhumane manner. An immigration official said that my son would be taken to a shelter while my [legal] situation was resolved, then I was transferred to the “dog pound” without any information about my son. I asked the officials for information about my son but they refused to give it to me. After having arrived at the “dog pound” they handcuffed us and tortured us psychologically saying that we wouldn’t see our children again as they had been transferred to the custody of the government. Then they took us in front of a judge and told us that we had to plead guilty of having entered this country. Then I was transferred to Port Isabel. They treated us in an inhumane manner like criminals when the only mistake we made was to enter this country asking for help. I had no communication with my son and was trying to get information about him, but no one gave us any answers. We only received insults from the officials. They gave us nicknames and made fun of us when they saw us crying for our children. I was separated from my son for a month.
On July 18 they returned my son to me and we were transferred to Dilley. I have now been detained here over 40 days with my son and our situation has not been resolved. I believe that it is time that they let us free because we, both mothers and children, have been punished a lot.