Dear Students
To my sweet, beloved H & C:
Yesterday I talked to the immigration officer who is handling your mother's case. I told him that I was your teacher and that you were very special little boys. I asked him to please let your mother stay here with you, to please not send her back to "her" country.
H, I told him that you have special needs. I told him how you had that brain tumor removed and how it'd left you developmentally delayed. About all the support you're getting at school and how much amazing progress you've made this year. I told him about all the wonderful teachers who are involved in your day-to-day schedule trying to make sure that you do well and thrive in our school.
C, I told the immigration officer that you are struggling with anxiety. I told him that you needed your medication, and I was afraid you might not receive the same care in your mom's country. I told him how much progress you've made in your reading this year, how you have a special tutor who visits your house every week to help you with your homework. You've gotten so much more confident in third grade!
I told the man all these things, but I don't think he heard me. He kept on saying that there was nothing he could do, but I didn't believe him. He said he understood because he was a parent, but I didn't believe that either. How could any father who loves their children, separate a family in such a devastatingly, cruel way? How could he take a mother permanently away from her children? He said, "Believe it or not (I wonder why he obviously seemed to think I definitely couldn't believe it?), I used to be an educator myself." I wanted to ask him, if that were true, how in the hell he could go from such a giving profession to one in which he takes so much, but I didn't.
Instead I listened. I listened while the man from immigration told me that you could go live with your mom in "her" country. While he told me that when you're 18, you'd have a chance to come back. That was hard to listen to because it was so ridiculous. I told him there's no way you can live in your mom's country. You can't even read or write in your native language! How will you do grade level work? I reminded him that there are no such things as ESL or IEPs in place for students in that country. That you'd have no accomodations and no help to succeed.
I talked and I listened and in the end, I just didn't get it. Doesn't this man work for the same government who supposedly cares so much about each and every student, that they created No Child Left Behind? How can this same noble and caring government send its own citizens to a country they've never known or seen, where they'll struggle and flounder. Where their academic survival is doomed? Aren't you being left behind?
H & C, I don't know what to say to you. I'm still hoping and praying that there is some way your mama can stay here with you. I'm asking (pleading with) anyone who is reading this, to please pray for your family. No matter what their position is on illegal immigration, I want them to think of you boys and the way your lives will be affected by this decision. To consider the huge impact this will have on you mentally and emotionally. I'm asking everyone to pray for a miracle for you because that's what it's going to take.
Yesterday I talked to the immigration officer who is handling your mother's case. I told him that I was your teacher and that you were very special little boys. I asked him to please let your mother stay here with you, to please not send her back to "her" country.
H, I told him that you have special needs. I told him how you had that brain tumor removed and how it'd left you developmentally delayed. About all the support you're getting at school and how much amazing progress you've made this year. I told him about all the wonderful teachers who are involved in your day-to-day schedule trying to make sure that you do well and thrive in our school.
C, I told the immigration officer that you are struggling with anxiety. I told him that you needed your medication, and I was afraid you might not receive the same care in your mom's country. I told him how much progress you've made in your reading this year, how you have a special tutor who visits your house every week to help you with your homework. You've gotten so much more confident in third grade!
I told the man all these things, but I don't think he heard me. He kept on saying that there was nothing he could do, but I didn't believe him. He said he understood because he was a parent, but I didn't believe that either. How could any father who loves their children, separate a family in such a devastatingly, cruel way? How could he take a mother permanently away from her children? He said, "Believe it or not (I wonder why he obviously seemed to think I definitely couldn't believe it?), I used to be an educator myself." I wanted to ask him, if that were true, how in the hell he could go from such a giving profession to one in which he takes so much, but I didn't.
Instead I listened. I listened while the man from immigration told me that you could go live with your mom in "her" country. While he told me that when you're 18, you'd have a chance to come back. That was hard to listen to because it was so ridiculous. I told him there's no way you can live in your mom's country. You can't even read or write in your native language! How will you do grade level work? I reminded him that there are no such things as ESL or IEPs in place for students in that country. That you'd have no accomodations and no help to succeed.
I talked and I listened and in the end, I just didn't get it. Doesn't this man work for the same government who supposedly cares so much about each and every student, that they created No Child Left Behind? How can this same noble and caring government send its own citizens to a country they've never known or seen, where they'll struggle and flounder. Where their academic survival is doomed? Aren't you being left behind?
H & C, I don't know what to say to you. I'm still hoping and praying that there is some way your mama can stay here with you. I'm asking (pleading with) anyone who is reading this, to please pray for your family. No matter what their position is on illegal immigration, I want them to think of you boys and the way your lives will be affected by this decision. To consider the huge impact this will have on you mentally and emotionally. I'm asking everyone to pray for a miracle for you because that's what it's going to take.
posted by Beloved at 6:46 AM
6 Comments:
This was a beautiful and heartfelt post that left me crying for these boys and praying for that miracle.
Those poor kids. How awful. That man sounds so heartless. {{{{Hugs}}}} to you for standing up for those kids. I hope they get the miracle.
Is there a petition we can sign? Is there a senator who can step in on their behalf? F*CK. (I'm so sorry, I really tried not to swear on your blog...) ARGH.
Is there a chance that she can qualify under section 245(i)? Is there a top-notch immigration attorney who'd take her on pro bono? That may mean a bit of a media circus into their lives but that'd be totally worth it...
I'm sure all the venues have already been thought of but... if it's money issue, maybe I can ask all the generous people who offered to help me out to help them out... will you let me know how and if I can help? 245(i) is about $1000 fee - not too hard to raise if we all helped...
Our country and it's laws turn human beings into numbers and statistics. I wish more people would write beautiful posts like this.
What a heartbreaking situation. I like all of MN's suggestions. I'll be praying for them.
This is gut-wrenching. You are so wonderful to be so involved, and to care so much. I hope all your efforts make this happen.
Sending much hope and well wishes your (and H and C's) way.
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