What Detention Leaves Behind

Guest post by Iliana de la Fuente, University of Oklahoma College of Law 2L

She’s so little.

I remember thinking that as I held my baby cousin for the first time. A week ago I didn’t even know she existed and now…

“Put all your belongings in the basket!” A uniformed officer shouted at the line of people waiting to see their loved ones. I held Lupita tighter. For a moment, I had forgotten where I was.

My grandmother struggled to walk through the metal detector. Her leg had always been a problem and she had to walk through the machine without her cane. At least they gave it back.

My friends spent their weekends studying for the SATs or going to the mall. Here I was meeting Lupita and taking her to prison. This might be her only chance to meet her father.

My uncle was in prison. His crime? Last year, his son, Juan-Carlos, attempted to kill himself and has been on life support ever since. My uncle refused to stay in Mexico, even after ICE shipped him back.

I remember my mother lighting a candle for St. Jude the night my uncle crossed the border. He traveled through a desert so he could be by Juan-Carlos’ side. Not too long after that, my uncle was stopped again. This time, he wasn’t immediately deported. He was detained in prison while he was processed.

The outcome was almost certain. It was determined last year that Juan-Carlos’ condition wasn’t enough to keep my uncle here. My uncle would be deported again.

My grandmother and I sat on one side of the small fold-out table. My uncle was escorted over by an officer. The orange jumpsuit practically swallowed him whole. He reached for Lupita with a grin on his face.

I didn’t say much during the visit. It wasn’t for me, the only reason I was here was because of my status. As our time ended, my uncle handed me a crumpled piece of paper.

“One of my friends here was transferred. They didn’t tell his family. I thought you could call them. He’s a good guy.” His eyes pleaded with me. I took the note and nodded. We hugged and said our good-byes.

I called that number the next day. “We’re sorry. You have reached a number that is disconnected or that is no longer in service.”

-posted by KitJ on behalf of Iliana de la Fuente