Estela Juarez, the eleven-year-old child of deported immigrant Alejandra Juarez and former combat veteran Temo Juarez, detailed the aftermath of the turmoil her family is facing as result of President Donald Trump’s actions against immigrants.
During Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention, Estela read a letter addressed to Trump as she shared a brief overview of her parents’ lives and how they arrived at the pivotal point they are faced with now.
“My mom is my best friend. She came to America over 20 years ago without papers in search of a better life,” Estela read. “She married my dad who served out country as a Marine in South America, Africa, and Iraq. My mom worked hard and paid taxes and the Obama administration told her she could stay.”
She noted that her father voted for Trump in 2016. However, her father’s support of Trump waned when her mother was deported back to Mexico.
“My dad thought you would protect military families so he voted for you in 2016, Mr. President. He says he won’t vote for you again because of what you did to our family,” Estella read, adding, “Instead of protecting us, you tore our world apart.”
See Estella’s remarks below:
Estela went on to sharply criticize Trump on behalf of other children of immigrants as a clip captured one of Trump’s candid statements about the removal of immigrants residing in the United States.
“Now, my mom is gone and she’s been taken from us for no reason at all. Every day that passes, you deport more moms and dads and take them away from kids like me,” Estela said.
“You separated thousands of children from parents and you put them in cages,” Estela said as the footage offered a glimpse of children currently residing in detainment facilities. “Some of those children are now orphans because of you.”
The Democratic National Committee aimed to highlight the essence of immigration and how it serves as a form of unity in the United States.
