My dear ones:

I am writing to you, my little granddaughter, and to all the children whose fathers have been deported.

Papi has been deported. That means that he has been sent to his home country because he was not able to get the documents he needed to stay here in the United States. Although you are a citizen, and mommy is a citizen, he was denied residence because in the past he had entered the country twice without permission. And my little ones, when we do things that we are not allowed to do, we are punished. When we break the law, we might even go to jail.

Papi broke the law because he wanted to have a better life. He came to the United States because in his country there are a lot of problems. He was poor over there, and he was unable to find a good job. He came to the United States because people in our countries say that here, in the United States, you have better opportunities, and that your children will be born and grow up in a country where people are respected and have jobs.

Because he was poor and he couldn’t get a visa or permission to enter the country, he entered the country illegally. His intention was good, but according to the law, his action was wrong. Today, he is paying for it. He came here with hopes and dreams. He has been taken back to the country that he left many years ago without any money, with the clothes he was wearing, with his dreams and hopes destroyed and most of all, with his heart broken because he is leaving you behind.

My little ones, grandma and grandpa came here 37 years ago. We came so our children could have better lives. I’m sorry, my little ones. Our dream has also become a nightmare. We are feeling that we are paying a very high price for the American dream. We did not come here to see you suffering the way you are now.

I can only say that I have learned that it does not matter where we live. It matters how we live. We can live happily if we have hope and faith because God is in our midst. Be sure that He takes care of you, and He takes care of your papi. Let’s trust in Him and keep praying.

It is hard to accept that papi will not be able to return. That means that you will not see him as you used to. He will not be able to kiss you “Good night” and fix your lunch in the morning. He will not be able to come to talk to your teachers and be amazed at how well you are learning to read and write.

Papi is suffering beyond words, and so are you. You both need comfort. You both need to move on knowing that nothing will break the love you have for one another. Love survives through distance and time. Remember the bridge you drew the last time you sent papi a card? You drew yourself and papi on it. That’s exactly what deportation is. You are both on a bridge, each one on different sides.
Cross the bridge, my little princess – that is what he calls you – fly over it. Close your eyes and in your imagination hug him. Bring Jesus close to you and allow Him to lay His hands over both of you.

Papi has promised to keep in touch with you, and he will.

A big hug to you and to all the children whose fathers have been deported or are facing deportation. Let’s keep praying. I love you. Los amo.

Grandma.

Teresa Rosero is the religious education director at SS. Joachim and Anne parish, Queens Village.