In a poignant video titled “My Name Is Sofia,” actress Emma Roberts sheds light on the harrowing experience of a Honduran mother who fled violence in her home country, aiming to find a safe haven for her young son in the United States. After seeking asylum, the mother and her 18-month-old son were tragically separated at the Texas border. The letter detailing her ordeal, read by various celebrities, serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of immigration policies.
Produced in partnership with the ACLU, the video features notable figures such as Chris Evans, Tiffany Haddish, Anthony Mackie, and more, all lending their voices to bring Sofia’s story to life. In her letter, Sofia recounts fleeing Honduras after her neighborhood was attacked. “On March 15, 2021, my son and I approached the border in El Paso, Texas, seeking help,” she shared. “I was told that they needed to take my son away from me, placing him in one location while I was taken to another.”
When Sofia asked for clarification, the immigration officers provided no explanation for the separation. As she recalls, “They made me walk my son to a vehicle and strap him into a car seat, all while he was crying. I wasn’t even allowed to comfort him before they shut the door.” While she was held at a detention center, her son was placed in a federally funded foster home.
During their separation, a caseworker kept Sofia informed about her son’s well-being, relaying that he often cried for her. This news deepened her despair, leading to a loss of appetite and a feeling of hopelessness. “After some time, I learned my son had developed an ear infection and a cough,” she noted. “I just wanted to hold him and tell him that everything would be alright.”
In an essay published by CNN, Sofia shared her story of finally being reunited with her son on May 10, after a grueling wait of two months and 11 days. “Holding him again was the most joy I have ever felt,” she wrote. “The entire time apart, he was my motivation to stay strong, and at last, he was back in my arms.”
Sofia’s experience is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by asylum-seeking families, and she expresses concern for others still waiting to be reunited with their children. “I pray for them to find strength and the support they need, just as I received from fellow detainees.”
For those looking to assist families affected by these separations, the ACLU provides actionable steps to make your voice heard.
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In summary, the heartbreaking story of Sofia illustrates the painful separations faced by many families at the border. The efforts of celebrities to share her letter amplify the call for compassion and understanding towards asylum-seeking families.