Dear Friend,

Today, on International Migrants Day, we celebrate the courage, resilience, and love that migrant families carry with them – even through unimaginable hardship. Their stories remind us why supporting their fundamental rights to safety, freedom and support are essential.

Gifts like yours, Friend, are critical in fueling this work, making a real impact on immigrant children and their families. One of those families is Alejandro* and his daughter, Emma*.

Alejandro, a hard-working dad from Guatemala, has always been Emma’s greatest source of comfort. Blind since birth, Emma depends on her dad to help her navigate the world. Together, they migrated to the United States and built a life filled with courage, love, and joy. 
 
But several years ago, everything changed. 

Immigration enforcement officials illegally separated Alejandro from Emma in 2017, and deported him without the opportunity to make plans for her care or their reunification. 

What followed over the next four years was a painful and exhausting journey. Alejandro worked tirelessly to find a pathway to return to the U.S, and by 2021, Alejandro had finally reunified with his entire family – including Emma, his wife, and his second child. 

For the first time in years, they were finally under one roof – safe, free, and beginning to heal from the trauma of their separation. Yet their challenges weren’t over.
 
In the summer of 2025, Alejandro was wrongfully detained again – this time during a routine traffic stop – forcing the family to relive another painful separation. 

That's when the Young Center learned about his case and immediately jumped into action. Alejandro was terrified of being deported a second time as he was transferred between detention centers across the country with little information about what would happen next.

This is the traumatic reality of interior immigration enforcement today. Family separation isn’t just happening at the border – it is happening within corners of our very own communities, every single day.
 
Day after day, we tracked Alejandro’s transfers, escalated his case to federal agencies, and ultimately secured his release. At last, he was reunited with Emma and his family again. 
 
Through every separation, every setback, and every moment of fear, Alejandro has remained Emma’s fiercest advocate and protector – and the Young Center has stood with them every step of the way, ensuring that their best interests are never forgotten.

Emma and Alejandro’s story reflects the strength and dignity of migrant families everywhere. 

And today – on International Migrants Day – it also reminds us of what we can accomplish together. And right now, your impact can go twice as far, Friend. 

Until midnight on December 31st, gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000 – fueling family reunification, child advocacy, and safety for immigrant families like Alejandro & Emma.

Thank you for standing with migrant children and families, Friend – today and always.

With gratitude,

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights

*Names and identifying details have been changed to protect the family’s privacy.

Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights
P.O. Box 2417
Chicago, IL 60690

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