Annunciation House receives 32 migrant parents separated from children

El Paso’s Annunciation House received 32 migrant parents on Sunday who they say were separated from their children because of the federal “zero-tolerance” policy.

“We do not know exactly the people that are coming to us (and) we do not know where their children are,” said Taylor Levy, the organization’s legal coordinator. “No one really knows where their children are necessarily, except for the government, somehow.”

These parents were previously facing charges for illegal entry, but President Donald Trump’s policy reversal on Wednesday “withdrew” those charges, the organization said. Attorneys clarified the administration’s policy reversal applies to immigrants currently in CBP custody, not those who are in ICE custody for other reasons.

Annunciation House is a religious organization that provides legal aid and shelter to migrants and refugees.

“Receiving refugees is part of an ongoing process for us thanks to an ongoing partnership with (federal immigration authorities),” Garcia said.

Garcia complimented ICE and the Border Patrol in El Paso: “This whole process has been very difficult for many of them and they have acted very professionally to implement the start of reunification of parents with their children.”

Garcia said the parents released by authorities do not have their children. The parents will be provided with a 1-800 number they will have to call to get more information about the whereabouts of their children.

“That is very problematic because we have people who have attempted to call that number and it has been very difficult,” said Garcia, “When these parents arrive here, and we call that number, they will not be able to talk to their children or get any information on how to recuperate their children.”

Between 2,300 and 3,000 children are in federal custody, said Ruben Garcia, Annunciation House’s director. Garcia said migrant parents must not only prove they are the child’s parent, but also prove they are fit to take care of the child in order to regain custody.

“We are beginning to see the signs of this kind of policy coming to an end,” Garcia told several dozen members of the media. “I wish I could tell you what the future might look like, but for right now, I’m gratified that we have stopped as a country taking children away from parents.”