We always assumed Border Patrol was physically separating families. The idea was bolstered for me when we obtained remarks from ICE's principal legal advisor in June saying they weren't separating, only transporting. Well, it turns out in many instances, MVM was taking children.
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How do we know this? For starters, I showed Wilson a set of photos I’d gathered of MVM workers. He only recognized some. One photo he recognized right away was of the man who took him from his mamá. He even drew out being transported by him by van to the MVM office.pic.twitter.com/DShnS8QpXf
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Wilson's mom, Maria Antonia (she goes by Tonita), also recognized the man in the photo as the one who took her son away. His name is Demetrio Reyes and he works for MVM. I found he'd handwritten and signed his name on government documents I obtained:https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4887714-DHS-MVM-manifest.html …
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Say what you want about government-contracted detention centers and shelters. But at least there's a record that people were there. There are rules. There are protocols. Broken, but there. Holding people, but six-year-old especially, in secret offices is, at best, troubling.
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Wilson was eventually taken to a government-sanctioned shelter. It would take 3 weeks before he was allowed to talk to his mamá. He spent his 7th birthday without her. He would pray for her in silence in his bed, covering himself and asking God for her to be strong.pic.twitter.com/ZCVBXdpRJX
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In July, after literally hundreds of systemic searches, I was able to track down several of the parents of children I’d identified as having spent night(s) at MVM. I started speaking with Wilson’s mom, Tonita, once a day. I had more information about her son than she did.
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Many parents made clear to me they didn’t want to tell share their story, but were grateful for any information I had about their little ones. Tonita, like other parents, had seen the MVM story on tv in detention. She knew what happened was wrong. She wanted to tell her story.
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Wilson and Tonita were reunited after nearly two months apart. Here they are sharing their first meal w their family in Arkansas. We have documents. We have statements. And, most importantly, we have the voices of people who were directly affected by the polices we write about.pic.twitter.com/HrxmLPywRX
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But they struggle to make ends meet. Wilson joined Cub Scouts but can’t even afford his uniform. Despite humanitarian parole, Tonita isn’t authorized to work. She heard of a program that could help them with food and counseling. But she’s terrified of becoming a “public charge.”pic.twitter.com/N03O6cg0Zl
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Replying to @aurabogado
Tonita should ask their den leader and/or pack leader (they should have both) if there is a "uniform locker" where they could obtain a used/outgrown uniform shirt for $5. If not, I would be happy to donate my son's first uniform shirt. The family would have to change patches.
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I’m speaking with her tomorrow or Monday; I’ll let her know 
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