02 October 2023 , 22:14
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A teenager wrote a book to express her struggles when her mother got deported.
The story of 14-year-old Estela Juarez was chronicled in her children's book "Until Someone Listens," which recounts her family's struggles after her mother, Alejandra, was deported to Mexico. The book, published by Macmillan on September 13, 2022, sheds light on the harsh realities faced by families torn apart by immigration policies.
Estela's journey began when her mother Alejandra, seeking asylum from dangerous conditions in Mexico, came to the US in the late 1990s. Despite building a life with her husband, Temo Juarez, an Army veteran and naturalized American citizen, Alejandra's undocumented status led to her deportation in 2018.
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Estela's activism reached a broader audience when she spoke at the 2020 Democratic National Convention (YouTube/@Good Morning America)Estela vividly recalls the night immigration officers came to their home, marking the beginning of a painful separation. She told Today.com: "I was 4 years old and I was scared. My mom told me, 'I am not as lucky as you. I came to the U.S. without papers.'"
Originally from Mexico, Alejandra moved to the US seeking safety and opportunity but faced deportation due to her undocumented status. This separation from her family, especially her daughters Estela and Pamela, was deeply painful. Alejandra showcased remarkable strength, finding work in Mexico while her family remained in the US.
She co-authored "Until Someone Listens," sharing her family's story and advocating for change (YouTube/@Good Morning America)The family's story gained attention when, at the age of 11, she wrote a heartfelt letter to then-President Donald Trump, pleading for her mother's return. This activism continued as Estela was asked to read her letter at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Alejandra was temporarily reunited with her family under humanitarian parole, but their future remains uncertain. Recently reunited, albeit temporarily, Estela and Alejandra are not resting on their laurels.
Alejandra's undocumented status led to a heartbreaking family separation, profoundly impacting Estela (YouTube/@Good Morning America)Estela, with a vision of a brighter future, dreams of becoming a senator to influence change in immigration laws. She is currently working on her second book, a young adult novel delving further into her experiences as the daughter of an undocumented immigrant. She said: "I like to see (my writing) as something beautiful that came out of a sad situation. It's my project to share with the world."
The Juarez family's story has spurred legislative action. Congressman Darren Soto has reintroduced the "Protect Patriot Spouses Act," inspired by Alejandra's plight, aiming to ease the challenges faced by undocumented spouses of military service people and veterans.