Many women who recently celebrated Mother’s Day in Florida also happen to be immigrants. They no doubt shared similar experiences during the holiday, such as children or spouses treating them to special meals, cards, flowers, etc., but likely also have unique family customs all their own as well. On the West Coast, a group of women apparently decided to celebrated Mother’s Day this year by protesting against U.S. immigration law.
The undocumented immigrants are part of an activist group who gathered in public the day before Mother’s Day to speak out against what they have called unfair immigration policies. They say it is time for the U.S. government to do what is right to stop mothers and children from being separated as a side effect to the immigration process. The group says mothers should never have to live in fear that they will be torn apart from their children simply because their paperwork is not in order.
The women marched through the streets, sang songs and told listeners their stories. Advocates spoke about millions of women who courageously emigrated from their countries of origin to the United States to provide better lives for their children. They said the women have worked hard to build new lifestyles and the U.S. government should offer them permanent protected statuses.
The protest followed the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent announcement that U.S. immigration law would now allow officials to separate mothers and children if a parent is suspected of smuggling a child into the country. In past situations, families have been permitted to remain together if they are detained at the border. Because many complications can arise when a family member is separated from loved ones and detained, those facing such situations in Florida may want to reach out for legal support.
Source: Newsweek, “Undocumented Immigrant Moms Hold Mother’s Day Rally Demanding U.S. Stop Tearing Families Apart“, Chantal Da Silva, May 13, 2018
