It was a beautiful day in February when this family finally got to hug each other again after nearly six years apart.
For years, Marco waited for the day when his wife and three daughters in El Salvador could join him in the new life he was building for them in Durham. In Spring 2017, with the support of CWS Durham, his family was approved for travel and ready to join Marco in Durham. But, a sudden policy change by the Trump administration interrupted their reunion. While his wife, Dominga, and their youngest daughter were allowed to join him, his two eldest daughters and their families were forced to stay behind.
Marco and his wife continued to work with our Immigration Legal Services team to bring their daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren home to Durham. While the family remained apart, Marco started his own business, his youngest daughter continued to advance in school, and his two older daughters in El Salvador added new grandchildren to the family tree.
In 2021, following pressure from CWS and other partners, the Biden administration began to reverse the Trump-era policies that were keeping this family apart. Nearly six years after they were separated from their family, Saira and Lara, their husbands, and their children finally arrived in Durham and into the arms of their waiting family. As the family gathered for a photo before heading home, through a few joyous tears, Dominga shared, “One million blessings to you and CWS for bringing me and my daughter here, bringing my husband here, and now bringing the rest of my family here. It feels like a full circle.”
