Detained: A Boy’s Journal of Survival and Resilience by D. EsperanzaMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
When "D" was 13 he lost his grandmother and uncle who were his primary caregivers. He parents were living and working in the US. After a bit, he decides to travel north to join his parents. Some of his cousins also go with him.
This book is split into 2 parts. The first part details his relatives deaths and the struggles to live both before and after. Children leave school after 5th, 6th grade (and earlier/later) to work because their families need the income. People getting into the cross-hairs of local gangs and being scared to leave the house. His journey north is also detailed. Being chased by men, jumping into moving trains, being hungry all the time, tired all the time. Stressed. Scared. All. The. Time. His (and his cousins) journey was harrowing, scary. They saw the best and worst of humanity.
The 2nd part details his time in US detention. During Trump's first term, children (often unaccompanied) in detention got a lot of press and criticism. Then it got buried as things do when other things happened and took over the headlines. Trump lost and now, 4 years laters, he is back. And if I thought things were aweful then, they are hell now based on what I've read. But, back to this.
US immigration detention (and I think this is the case for adults too) is built to dehumanize you. Children were frequently moved around to keep them off balance, keep them from forming relationships with other children who were also in detention, and to hide them. They were lied to time and time again (really, we are trying to reunite with parents/relatives). These were children and were treated like a criminal. Every. Single. Day. Food that makes you sick. Food that is limited (no you make NOT have another box of cereal!). Kids are discouraged from talking, touching (no hugs, no high-fives), and when one leaves it's at night. No goodbye.
This is a necessary story right now from someone who lived it. Luckily, "D" kept a diary during this time. And he is sharing his story now. His experience is likely only the tip of the iceberg. Be prepared to be frustrated, angry. And also hopeful, because "D" is here. And speaking out.
It's also notable that D and is cousins were able (and they had many close calls) to make it to the border together. It was the US government that separated them.
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