This Father’s Day, we honor Mario*, who was held in immigration detention and separated from his five children for eight months.
Mario has lived in the United States since he was three years old, attending school, starting landscaping and construction businesses, and building a family. After he and his wife separated, all five of his children lived with him full time. Two of his kids have special needs.
But one day everything changed when Mario was apprehended by ICE.
He was sent to Eloy Detention Center, and his children had to go live with their mother on the other side of the country, far away from their father and unable to visit him while he was detained.
In detention, Mario began asking around to see if there were any resources available to help him with his case, and he was told about the Florence Project. He learned that the Florence Project provided legal orientations and legal support.
He signed up for an orientation, and soon after, he attended a Know Your Rights presentation where I met him.
With the support of Jessica Alvarado, Managing Attorney, Kathy Medina, Legal Assistant, and Liz Bazua Rendon, DOJ Accredited Representative, provided Mario with pro se legal support and helped him prepare to represent himself in court, including educating him about his rights, supporting him in completing applications and gathering evidence, and more.
“[Kathy and Liz] were always attentive and would guide me. I would see them two or three days before my court date. I will always be grateful to [the Florence Project].”
Mario remained detained for the duration of his legal proceedings, but the thought of reuniting with his children kept him going.
“I couldn’t imagine my life without them. I have always been with my kids. That’s what motivated me to wake up every day and continue.”
“I would call [my children] every two or three days. I didn’t have money to make calls, but I got a cleaning job in there so that I could have enough money to be able to call my children.”
At his final court date, Mario recalls a government prosecutor saying that his children, including his neurodivergent sons, would be okay without him. The judge did not agree and determined that Mario needed to stay in the United States to care for his kids who would suffer without him.
“I didn’t know in that moment if I wanted to cry or yell. I was in shock,” Mario remembers of the moment the judge granted his application to stay in the U.S. After about eight months, he would finally be free from detention!
“My kids are very happy [for me] and want to see me badly, like I do too. This was very difficult for them, especially for my son who has autism because he was always asking for me.”
“I want the best for my children. I have always tried to give the best to them,” he shared. “I want them to go to school, to get an education, so they can be successful.”
Today and always, we stand with fathers like Mario who continue to give their all for their kids. Together, we will continue to advocate for the fathers and all immigrants threatened with deportation.