A few years back, my partner and I took a nine-day trip to Italy, blending work with leisure. Our children stayed back with family, reveling in lakeside swims, cousin sleepovers, and a daily sugar rush. After indulging in the sights, savoring fine wines, and engaging in grown-up chats, I found myself longing to return home. I yearned to kiss my kids, embrace them tightly, and listen to their cheerful chatter about everything and nothing.
However, due to unforeseen travel complications, instead of reuniting with my kids that evening, we ended up spending the night at a hotel near Newark Airport. The moment I realized I wouldn’t see my children that night, I broke down in tears. Missing home and my kids felt unbearable, and this was just one night. Can you imagine being separated from your child for months, or even years? I certainly can’t.
Sadly, countless families face this harsh reality, not just due to flight delays, but because of walls, bars, and armed border patrol agents. Some families immigrate to the U.S. or remain here without proper documentation due to legal loopholes or desperate circumstances. Children may be brought to the U.S. by their undocumented parents, who then find it impossible to return home. In other instances, one family member may lack legal status while the rest hold residency.
When Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) discovers an undocumented immigrant, deportation can follow. This often leads to families being torn apart. Regardless of one’s stance on immigration policies, these stories are heartbreaking. Compassion should take precedence over legal jargon; we’re talking about families.
Thanks to the efforts of Border Angels, a nonprofit dedicated to human rights, there’s a small moment of relief each year at the wall separating San Diego from Tijuana. This organization advocates for families by opening an emergency door in the wall, allowing them to embrace, converse, and connect for a few precious minutes.
Border Angels organizes various events at Friendship Park, which sits on the border. One of the highlights is Children’s Day, where volunteers traditionally bring toys and treats for kids separated from their loved ones due to immigration challenges. Since 2013, Border Angels has successfully persuaded border patrol to open the door for families on this day, creating a heartwarming reunion for five years running.
As Enrique Morales, the organization’s founder and executive director, puts it: “Someone in Washington, DC, regardless of political affiliation, might witness that moment of a child hugging her father for the first time and realize the need for humane immigration policies.” Their mission extends beyond a single event. With a dedicated volunteer base, Border Angels conducts educational programs, provides water for migrants crossing the desert, and offers legal assistance to those in need.
This organization is truly making a difference. Love knows no borders, and we’re all intertwined in this shared experience—whether we acknowledge it or not. “Only love will overcome hate,” Morales states. “Si se puede.”
In summary, Border Angels works tirelessly to bridge the gap between families divided by immigration laws. Their efforts highlight the need for compassion and understanding in an often harsh system. For anyone interested in fertility and family planning, check out this insightful resource on getting pregnant, or explore the journey of couples navigating home insemination. Additionally, for a wealth of information on pregnancy and home insemination, visit this excellent resource.