The many incidents of children separated from their parents and families at the U.S. border are incredibly upsetting. Seeing families reunited is supposed to be joyous, but reporting of reunifications shows that the separations have taken a toll on families, especially on the young children snatched from their parents.
Such is the case for 31-year-old Hermelindo Che Coc, who came to the U.S. seeking asylum from Guatemala with his son, Jefferson Che Pop. The two were detained on May 28, 2018, and separated the next day.
Authorities took Jefferson to Cayuga Centers in New York, and he spoke to his father only three times in 46 days.
“Papa, I thought they killed you,” Jefferson sobbed to his father during one phone call. “You separated from me. You don’t love me anymore?”
“No, my son,” Che Coc responded. “I’m crying for you. I promise, soon you will be with me.”
During their last video call, Che Coc inquired about a bruise on Jefferson's forehand, and the 6-year-old cried and told his father he had fallen out of bed.
The two finally reunited at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Saturday, July 14.
Los Angeles Times staff writer Esmeralda Bermudez captured the highly emotional reunion and posted it to Twitter on Sunday.
Tonight, Guatemalan asylum seeker Hermelindo Che Coc was reunited w/ his 6-yr-old son, Jefferson at LAX. The two were separated at the border, didn’t see each other nearly 2 months. The boy had a vacant look in his eyes. Also a cough, bruise on his eye & rashes all over his body. pic.twitter.com/322p9WiIBr— Esmeralda Bermudez ???? (@LATbermudez) July 15, 2018
Bermudez also recounted every significant moment leading up to Che Coc finally getting able to see his son:
We spent the evening w/ Hermelindo as he prepared to see his son for the 1st time since they were separated at the border. The father was excited. He mopped the floors, cooked him chicken soup & bought him new clothes with money given to him by his father in law. pic.twitter.com/WdNf3cHOGW— Esmeralda Bermudez ???? (@LATbermudez) July 15, 2018
In a drawer alongside Jefferson’s new clothes, Hermelindo keeps a bible, his immigration documents and this: A few phrases he’s trying to learn in English. # 1 on his list: Yo quiero mi niño. I want my child. pic.twitter.com/VgJ45PviAo— Esmeralda Bermudez ???? (@LATbermudez) July 15, 2018
Hermelindo rides to LAX with his @ImmDef attorney. He’s in awe of the downtown skyline. “Is the beach nearby?” he asks. “What’s it look like?” His lawyers bought Jefferson a balloon & soccer ball to celebrate his boy’s upcoming 7th birthday on July 20. pic.twitter.com/qqqzERfOTC— Esmeralda Bermudez ???? (@LATbermudez) July 15, 2018
Hermelindo waits at a lounge set up by the airline. Surrounded by first class luxury & fancy coffee table books all the father can think of is his son. He cried & prays & sets a timer to track the minutes. He sees a photo of an aircraft & asks if that’s how big his son’s plane is pic.twitter.com/CfitwWajsh— Esmeralda Bermudez ???? (@LATbermudez) July 15, 2018
Is that how big my son’s plane is? Yes. He laughs. He can’t believe his tiny 6-year-boy is inside such a huge plane. pic.twitter.com/Q2stZS810p— Esmeralda Bermudez ???? (@LATbermudez) July 15, 2018
Hermelindo waits down a long corridor to finally reunite with his 6-year-old soon, Jefferson. “He’s the love of my life, my hero,” he said. pic.twitter.com/ZJMtvk7V1z— Esmeralda Bermudez ???? (@LATbermudez) July 15, 2018
On the drive home, Jefferson’s mama calls from Guatemala. How are you, my love? Happy to be with papa, he says. Then he dozes off with the phone in his hands. As he sleeps, his body jolts every few minutes. He’s scared. “I’m here, I’m here,” Hermelindo whispers. pic.twitter.com/9vyGvgJXtA— Esmeralda Bermudez ???? (@LATbermudez) July 15, 2018
After a long odyssey and a full of traveling from New York, Jefferson arrives at the small home where he will be staying with his father and grandfather. Papa Jacinto took him in his arms the moment he saw the boy. pic.twitter.com/lhdv8ffJFk— Esmeralda Bermudez ???? (@LATbermudez) July 15, 2018
The moment Hermelindo & his son saw each other. Jefferson stopped down a corridor, several feet from his father. He stared at the floor. When he looked up, his eyes were vacant. He didn’t reach for Che Coc, didn’t lift his arms to hug him. “Papa,” Hermelindo cried. “Papa.” pic.twitter.com/EtcCl4Kq29— Esmeralda Bermudez ???? (@LATbermudez) July 15, 2018
Che Coc's attorneys, who are with the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, are now fighting to secure asylum for him and Jefferson. His lawyers took on the case when they became aware Che Coc could be deported without his son. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials have not yet provided comment regarding this situation.
“These families are in for the fight of their lives, as are their lawyers,” said Lindsay Toczylowski, executive director of Immigrant Defenders.
Now, check these out:
The Photographer Behind This Heartbreaking Photo From The Border Reveals The Story Behind The Image
5 Things You Need To Know To About What's Being Done To Immigrant Families At The Border
