12 Comments
User's avatar
Wayne Coffey's avatar

Hi Elizabeth, What a heartbreaking story this. You don't need to be an immigration lawyer to weigh in on all of this administration's ICE-related atrocities. You are a very gifted writer.

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

I think you are exactly the right person to write this...a powerful account of making the universal personal. Sometimes hearing one family's story is more enlightening than a million hours of soul crushing news.

Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

Some sooner, harder…

we will all get hit by this.

Because we’re all one.

Carol Turner's avatar

Thank you. We need to hear from gifted writers-and real people. Like you.

Rita Ott Ramstad's avatar

Well, you know exactly how close to home this hits for me. Was holding my breath the whole way through reading it. Watching my daughter navigate immigration to another country (for about 6 years now) has changed my understanding of it, too. She is probably in one of the best-case scenarios for such an undertaking, and it has still been so challenging. It has made me question deeply what our borders are for. I'm glad you wrote and shared this. You are an expert on your family's experience, and it is through hearing each others' stories that abstract policy becomes something real, and that is the only way I know for hearts and minds to change.

Mary K.'s avatar

Your very personal perspective on this topic , Elizabeth, brings a much needed clarity to such a large /complex subject of concern. The Washington Post or New York Times would do well to reprint it or commission you to write of your family's experience for their publications. You write that you "still sleep at night", ..... the hard part for me sometimes is waking up. Thank you for your post.

Teresa O’Connor's avatar

True! Or The Guardian.

Teresa O’Connor's avatar

Sending resilience to all who are suffering under this heartless regime. I am sure your daughter will be as moved as we are by your beautifully written story. Thank you for your voice during these troubling times.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

How absolutely maddening--and heartbreaking. The civilized world should be open to everyone. A citizen should be able to enter his own country. A couple should be able to make a new life wherever they choose. A mother should be able to find comfort as her daughter finds love.

Beautifully written, Elizabeth. You don't need to have a license to be authentic.

Kim Nelson's avatar

That which happens to one, affects us all. When will we learn? 💙

Erica Weick's avatar

So sad your daughter, her partner and all of you have to go through this... it is abominable, yet it has been going on for a very long time, in different formats and nuances... not fun being an immigrant around here these days.

Barry P Osborne's avatar

There's so much going on that my stoplight stays on red.... Not meaning stop but rather a meaning angry.... So sorry this has happened in your family. to your daughter ..and to all of us. Nothing is sensible or loving or respectful these days... I don't know what's happened to our hearts but I'm for sure convinced that both the heart and the soul are missing from a lot of what's going on... and from those who are causing it....