--- title: Inside the Journey to Reunite an Undocumented Family description: Yeni González and her children were separated at the U.S. border—until a grassroots team of American volunteers drove her across the country canonical: https://time.com/5346538/yeni-gonzalez-video-grassroots-border-separation-undocumented-immigrants/ author: Katy Steinmetz article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2018-07-25T09:00:08.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-12T09:35:27.454Z article:section: Ideas og:title: Inside the Cross-Country Journey to Reunite an Undocumented Mother with Her Three Children og:description: A new TIME Red Border Film documentary og:url: https://time.com/5346538/yeni-gonzalez-video-grassroots-border-separation-undocumented-immigrants/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt412454d310bbc33d/6989361b929fad7e77bf127b/yeni-gonzalez-undocumented-immigrants-family-separation-border-donate.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1920 og:image:height: 1080 og:image:alt: Yeni González family separation og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Inside the Cross-Country Journey to Reunite an Undocumented Mother with Her Three Children twitter:description: A new TIME Red Border Film documentary twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt412454d310bbc33d/6989361b929fad7e77bf127b/yeni-gonzalez-undocumented-immigrants-family-separation-border-donate.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Inside the Cross-Country Journey to Reunite an Undocumented Mother with Her Three Children > Sponsored content. 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It explains how TIME's journalism is made, from the first pitch through the editorial decisions behind a finished story or cover. #### How can I read about how TIME chooses its covers? Inside TIME is the newsletter where TIME's Editor-in-Chief explains cover selection and the editorial reasoning behind major stories. It is free at time.com/newsletters. #### Who is the editor of TIME? Sam Jacobs is TIME's Editor-in-Chief. He writes Inside TIME, a twice-weekly newsletter about the newsroom's reporting and editorial decisions. #### Is Inside TIME free? Yes. Inside TIME is a free newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and available at time.com/subscribe-agent. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-inside-2026q3/newsletters?i=753df126-7b76-4d51-adea-7f7219cdd4db&cr=time-nl-inside-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Welcome to America [Watch (HLS stream): Welcome to America](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/ZgNt7Wqd.m3u8) (23:11)  _Published 2018-07-24. A group of activists decide to take matters into their own hands after thousands of children are separated from their parents at the border._ by [Katy Steinmetz](https://time.com/author/katy-steinmetz/) ## Katy Steinmetz Jul 25, 2018 9:00 AM UTC by [Katy Steinmetz](https://time.com/author/katy-steinmetz/) ## Katy Steinmetz Jul 25, 2018 9:00 AM UTC Yeni González is one of the mothers who suddenly found herself thousands of miles away from her children this spring, after President Donald Trump’s [“zero-tolerance” immigration policy](http://time.com/5317522/donald-trump-border-cover/) went into effect. In total, more than 2,300 children were separated from their parents in May and June. Trump has since ordered a [stop to that practice](https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2018/jun/25/donald-trumps-executive-order-ending-his-administr/), and a court [has said](http://time.com/5336616/migrant-family-reunification/) that migrant families must be brought back together. But while many reunions have taken place, few have captured attention like that of the Guatemalan and her three kids. A new TIME Red Border Film documentary shows how grassroots activists banded together to transport González from a detention center in Eloy, Ariz., to New York City, where her children were placed at a social service agency after the undocumented family crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and was apprehended by the Border Patrol in May. In addition to raising money for her bond and the trip, volunteers helped the 29-year-old travel across the country. “How can we humanize this, instead of just seeing a border wall?” Emily Kinskey, a co-producer on the film, says of making a documentary about the contentious policy topic of immigration. “How do we look at this as families?” Kinskey, who has done work documenting displacement in Central America and the Middle East, started the project after hearing about the vision of Schwietert Collazo, a writer in New York. Collazo had learned about González’s separation from her children — ages six, nine and eleven — on the radio and wondered if she couldn’t organize a network of hosts and drivers to help, given that González did not have the ID or money necessary to fly. Kinskey, who donated $25 to the effort before realizing it was an opportunity for her to pursue as a filmmaker, assembled a team to travel with González for each leg of the four-day trip. The filmmaker knows that not everyone feels sympathetic toward people who are attempting to enter the country without following the rules. “There may be people who would rather drive her back the other way across the border,” Kinskey says. But she believes there is a lesson to be learned about America in seeing how the network of volunteers materializes across red and blue states alike. While supporters have applauded Trump’s promises to vigorously enforce immigration laws, the family separations proved unpopular with many [Democrats and Republicans alike](http://time.com/5314681/republicans-criticized-trump-family-separation-border/) and inspired a burst of grassroots activism; one [viral Facebook campaign](http://time.com/money/5317089/facebook-fundraiser-raices/) aimed at reuniting families raised nearly $20 million in less than one week. The court-ordered reunifications have [proved difficult](http://time.com/5336616/migrant-family-reunification/) for the government in many cases. On Monday, the Trump Administration [released figures](http://time.com/5347015/trump-family-separation-parents-deported/) suggesting that more than 460 of the parents separated from their children may have already been deported. More than 100 parents, according to a court filing, have waived the right to be reunited with their children. While the American Civil Liberties Union has suggested that parents facing deportation might “mistakenly strand” their children, some have [come to the painful conclusion](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the%5Famericas/these-migrants-were-separated-from-their-children--and-arent-sure-they-should-be-reunited/2018/07/19/4b648634-892c-11e8-9d59-dccc2c0cabcf%5Fstory.html?utm%5Fterm=.0db32dfaae49) that their children will have a better life with family members in the U.S. The effort to connect González and her children is one that proved fruitful. After an emotional journey and about six weeks apart, the four of them reunited at a children’s center in Manhattan on July 3\. More than a week later, after going through the official process of having them released into her custody, the family emerged together from the building to be greeted by a scrum of reporters who had been following the case. In her remarks, González acknowledged other mothers who had been detained with her, as well as Collazo, who founded a group called Immigrant Families Together that continues to pursue this work. At one point in the film, González mentions critics who say that parents like her knowingly expose their children to the risks and trauma of being separated. Speaking in Spanish, she says she had no idea that her children might be taken away from her when they crossed the border and that people sometimes “say things” because they don’t understand the suffering of immigrants. According to her immigration lawyer José Xavier Orochena, González fled Guatemala because of [violence that has plagued the country](https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/central-americas-violent-northern-triangle) for years. He says that gangs were attempting to recruit her eldest son, who is eleven, and that “fending off” violent young men was proving too difficult for the single mother. He was hired by family members that González has in North Carolina, where the family is now living as González begins the long process of pursuing an asylum application. It’s a procedure that will likely take years, Orochena says, and involve the difficult task of gathering evidence about events that took place in Guatemala before the mother brought her family to America. “We have a lot of work to do,” he says. ## Transcript [ MUSIC ] Along the Southern border hundred of children remains separated from their parents. That's the situation for Yelly Marcel Gonzales Garcia living that kind of nightmare. After 43 days in the custody of U. S. immigration authority. Yeni Gonzalez was released on bail. The bail was paid by some families, mothers who are in New York city. She's making her way to New York to find her kids. It has been very difficult, very hard for me. I felt that my heart broke into a thousand pieces. They snatched my children from my arms. [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] I actually heard about Yeni through a text message, someone who is close with one of the organizers said hey someone is going to be released from detention tomorrow night, can you help coordinate transportation to Albuquerque And can you be there, Eloy, to support? And so I said, yeah for sure, I'm in. It really started as soon as I heard Jenny's lawyer talking about the fact that he knew she was in Eloy in Arizona. She knew that her kids were at Cuyahoga in New York. And he said she could actually go through her whole immigration proceedings in New York. If she could just get to New York from Arizona. And I thought certainly within my own community of friends and family and acquaintances that it would be possible to do that for one person. And so why not try? When we got in the car it was just quiet for a little bit. And And she would kinda ask questions and say things and she definitely appreciated the beauty of the desert and then some of the flatlands. She was like, isn't that pretty? So that was a lot of conversation, but for the most part it was quiet. Watching her from the rearview mirror just looking out in the distance and Such a focused look. And I don't know if she was imagining what she had been through. If she was thinking of what she's about to go through, but I just know it was focused and it was strong. [ FOREIGN ] [ LAUGH ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] Yes, yes. Jameli? I'm here. The man showed us a photo of when we were all together, and I just wanted to cry. What? [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] Deyuin keeps crying too. He cries, and cries, and cries. And this morning, I was putting on my socks, and he hit me in the head. And he needed to put on his socks and shoes too. [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ SOUND ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] I just want to hug them and kiss them. It's just so hard. I just want them by my side already and to never be separated from them again. [ SOUND ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ INAUDIBLE ] I think it's just all getting to me- [ BLANK_AUDIO ] Her story, everyone else's that were not here. I don't know why, but just seeing how beautiful [ BLANK_AUDIO ] Yesterday how she said she hadn't been outside. [ SOUND ] I guess it finally got to me. [ SOUND ] [ FOREIGN ] > [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] When I had dropped off in Albuquerque it was very weird, it was someone that I didn't even know for 24 hours, and it was just a feeling of. A feeling of hope, a feeling of helplessness, a feeling of worry. We don't know what's gonna happen. But just a feeling of I wanted her to be OK. [ FOREIGN ] [ LAUGH ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] What is driving through the night? What is driving five hours Through the line. What is that compare to what Jenny must have experienced? Bringing three kids from Guatemala through Mexico through the Arizona desert. I mean, there's just ridiculous to think that five hours. Driving in the night is, how is that? [ BLANK_AUDIO ] An inconvenience, or a struggle of any kind. You know what this feels like to me? This feels like a modern day underground railroad Road is what it feels like to me. Even though Yenni is travelling legally to New York city, the fact that she doesn't have enough documentation that would allow her to travel by plane or by bus So this system of drivers and hosts along the way, people opening up their Houses as refuge, it just, [ MUSIC ] It seems like a perfect parallel to the underground railroad, like trying to move a vulnerable body to a safer place. [ MUSIC ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] How do you say, how do you say We are sorry for our President, and our laws. And sorry. [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] So, how do you say, [ LAUGH ], I am also an immigrant? [ FOREIGN ] That's one of the general baseline rules. Like you don't mess with kids, right? Like, you don't mess with babies, you don't make them pawns. And I that that was something that for I think many, many people who maybe don't normally consider themselves activists or they don't consider themselves to be political necessarily. It touched something in them and it made them want to act. I think she knew people were gonna drive her across the country. I don't think she was expecting as much care and as much attention. Definitely not as much attention. But it was touching for her. Many of us didn't know each other before this week, and it was just incredible. How many people just acted, they showed up, and they said, I'm here to do this, just tell me what to do and I'll do it. And they did, and there was Nobody had this sort of, guide that ship. Everybody was going with it together. [ MUSIC ] From the beginning the idea was never solely To just do this for one person. It was if this works, which would be a miracle, can it be replicated? You want to tell us who to call? Yeah, sorry. [ LAUGH ] Okay, so our official name now is immigrant Families Together. Let's maybe turn for a minute to our plan for Monday. I just wanna re- emphasize every single person in this room right now and every single person on this call right now has Jenny's best interest at heart. We wanna stage maybe six spots along the route once they come into New York. Where we have hundreds of people waiting with welcome signs along these spots on the route. So it's really critical that we have massive turnout at each of these spots so that it becomes something that is impactful. i said on Facebook yesterday that I've gone to bed every night this week totally awed by all of you and what you bring to the table. And A former social worker, I've been involved in social justice since I was a child. And I've never seen anything like this. Julie wants a picture. Can I send her a picture? [ LAUGH ] Right here? [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] [ LAUGH ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] I am friends will Julie, who started the campaign in New York. And so she had told me that they needed a driver from Pittsburgh to New York on the last stretch, or the second to last stretch. And so we immediately jumped at the chance. I think we've both been so Desperate to contribute in some sort of positive way to this catastrophic situation. All right. [ FOREIGN ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] I grew up in a tiny village in Mexico and some of my family members migrated to the North or [ FOREIGN ], illegally without papers. This was like in the 90s so things were a little bit different at that time. And I was lucky that I was able to do it. Legally, to have the opportunity, so I just feel like there's a lot for me to pay off, to pay back. [ FOREIGN ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ FOREIGN ] [ MUSIC ] [ FOREIGN ] [ MUSIC ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] When I got home there was a call and we were talking about everything that was gonna happen in New York. And I was just picturing her. Everyone very well intended. Mentioned everyone trying to make this work. But I felt like who's gonna be there for her? So he kinda said, all right, well let me get out there. [ FOREIGN ] I called her, and I said hey, turns out I'm going to be in New York to be there for you. And she kind of got quiet and said, [ FOREIGN ], that's good because I was missing you. [ LAUGH ] So, today, Yanni Gonzalez is arriving after a cross country road trip And so all of us have gathered here just with our signs and our solidarity to welcome her to New York City. We wanna let her know that there are people in this country who love that she's here, who welcome her here, and are working hard to make sure that she and her children will stay together and not be separated again. We are trying to show her support, mostly to To make her feel comfortable that this is America's for everyone we want our Want For example I am a Muslim and I'm a sham in the meantime my networks are like wired another way says black Hispanic so we want to get the live in the neighborhood like civilized. [ APPLAUSE ] Yeni, Yeni, Yeni, Yeni. [ UNKNOWN ] [ SOUND ] [ FOREIGN ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] This is just grown. And I think that shows what can happen when people Stop wishing they could do something and stop just putting on Facebook, you know, this is wrong. And start figuring out, okay how can I help? Because that's what did this. It wasn't one person who drove across the country. It wasn't one person who gave the whole $ 7500 to take her out. I'm pretty sure each donation has been a small donation. Okay. Love you. [ FOREIGN ] [ SOUND ] [ MUSIC ] [ FOREIGN ] I wanna send a message to all the mothers that are still detained And Eloi? [ FOREIGN ] And I want to send a message to all the mothers that are fighting, that with the help of people like Julie, they're going to come out of this. We've said before and we'll say it again, we are going to do this, if we have to, one by one to do what the government is not going to do. [ MUSIC ] I don't know if I've ever bought into the narrative [ SOUND ] That America is a place for everyone. [ FOREIGN ] The home for tired [ UNKNOWN ] masses yearning to be free, I actually don't think we've done so great at that in many ways. [ MUSIC ] I don't think that we can look away from that, even as we are Admiring just like how generously people showed up for this. [ MUSIC ] Jenny shouldn't have to have gone and her children shouldn't have to have gone through what they went through to a welcoming country. It wasn't a welcome, and it doesn't have to be that way. I hope we get better on that welcoming because we've got a lot of work to do. 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