Migrant father who was reunited with his son tells separated families to never give up hope

A 26-year-old migrant father who has finally been reunited with his five-year-old son after eight weeks, encouraged other separated families to remain hopeful.

Eris Hidalgo Ramirez, of Honduras, was separated from his son, Jostin, in May when the two illegally crossed the border in Texas.

‘I would encourage all separated parents to remain strong,’ Ramirez told CNN. ‘Sooner or later you are bound to see your children again. Don’t give up.’ 

They were separated when immigration authorities took them into custody.

Eris Hidalgo Ramirez (right), 26, of Honduras, who has finally been reunited with his five-year-old son, Jostin (left), after eight weeks, encouraged other separated families to remain hopeful

Ramirez was separated from his son, Jostin (pictured with his dad), in May when the two illegally crossed the border in Texas. They were separated when immigration authorities took them into custody

Ramirez was separated from his son, Jostin (pictured with his dad), in May when the two illegally crossed the border in Texas. They were separated when immigration authorities took them into custody

‘I never gave up hope that I would see Jostin again,’ Ramirez told CNN. ‘While I was in detention I felt so helpless.’

On Friday afternoon, the father and son were reunited in the Bronx. 

‘I would encourage all separated parents to remain strong,’ he told the network. ‘Sooner or later you are bound to see your children again. Don’t give up.’ 

Jostin, who was being cared for by a New York organization while he was separated from his father, told CNN that he doesn’t ‘want them to take my dad away again’.

Ramirez said he was only able to speak with his son over the phone during their heartbreaking separation.   

It took 11 days before his son was able to reach Ramirez, who was in detention with other fathers.

Ramirez still faces a September court date to hear his asylum case. 

On Friday, the Trump administration identified 2,551 children between the ages of 5 and 17 currently in detention who could be reunited with their families.

On Friday, the Trump administration identified 2,551 children between the ages of 5 and 17 currently in detention who could be reunited with their families. Anita Areli Ramirez Mejia, an asylum seeker from Honduras is reunited with her six year-old son Jenri

On Friday, the Trump administration identified 2,551 children between the ages of 5 and 17 currently in detention who could be reunited with their families. Anita Areli Ramirez Mejia, an asylum seeker from Honduras is reunited with her six year-old son Jenri

Ever Reyes Mejia, of Honduras, carried his son to a vehicle after being reunited and released by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Grand Rapids, Michigan  

Ever Reyes Mejia, of Honduras, carried his son to a vehicle after being reunited and released by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Grand Rapids, Michigan  

US District Judge Dana Sabraw said at a hearing in San Diego that the government has demonstrated good faith and largely complied with a deadline this week to reunite families with children under 5.

At the same time, he indicated he will be monitoring the administration’s actions ahead of a July 26 deadline to reunite older children.

The judge said the administration must provide a list of names of parents in immigration custody and their children and complete background checks for them by Thursday.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which represents the separated families, has claimed the administration failed to meet last week’s deadline for children under 5 and should therefore be closely watched as the next deadline approaches.

The administration disputed that characterization, saying it reunified all 58 children under 5 who were eligible and that it complied with the judge’s order.

It acknowledged that 19 of the 58 children were reunified Wednesday and one came on Thursday – after the deadline – ‘for logistical reasons specific to each case’.

The next reunions were expected to begin ‘on a rolling basis’ leading to the deadline, according to the Justice Department.

They will occur at six to eight unspecified locations determined by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk