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Border Humanity Project: Letters to America

Throughout its history, our country has been a beacon of hope and freedom for people seeking better lives for themselves and their families, including those fleeing violence and seeking a better life. As a result, people who are immigrants have always been integral to our communities, economy, and the very fabric of our nation.

The “Letters to America” campaign highlights the experiences of people who have immigrated to this country in search of safety, the challenges they faced in their journey to the U.S.-Mexico border, and their hopes and dreams for their new beginning in the United States.

Instead of upholding our nation’s values and laws, our government has taken increasingly cruel measures that harm families and individuals who are immigrants – and the incoming Trump administration has vowed to impose even harsher measures by targeting immigrants with mass deportations and detention, as well as eviscerating any remaining asylum protections at the border.

In all the partisan politics, we are losing track of the fact that we’re talking about people – parents, children, neighbors – who are seeking the welcome, safety, and opportunity that our country has provided throughout history. That’s why the ACLU and our affiliates are fighting to protect people seeking safety and better lives, and in turn, build an immigration system that humanely manages the border while treating immigrants with respect and dignity they deserve. Learn more about our storytellers, their families, and why they fled their homes in search of safety.

Click here more information about the ACLU’s work at the border.

An immigrant's rights-related graphic with the phrase "Letter's To America: Carlota't Story"
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A photo of Carlota.

Letters to America – Carlota

For Carlota, the decision to leave her home, community, and the life she created in Guerrero, Mexico was not easy. But Guerrero, the most violent state in Mexico, is plagued by crime, extortion and forced disappearances. Fearful for her and her family’s safety, Carlota made the difficult decision to take her two young children on a journey to seek asylum in the U.S.

Carlota and her children spent 11 difficult months at the border waiting for an appointment to apply for asylum, which is not how our system is supposed to work.

“There were moments of crying, and our spirits fell, but we never lost faith and hope because we have always prayed,” she says.

Today, Carlota has been in the U.S. for two years and, while her asylum case remains pending, she believes that she can finally feel “tranquility and peace” in “creating a better future for our children.”

Carlota and her children spent 11 difficult months at the border waiting for an appointment to apply for asylum, which is not how our system is supposed to work.

“There were moments of crying, and our spirits fell, but we never lost faith and hope because we have always prayed,” she says.

Today, Carlota has been in the U.S. for two years and, while her asylum case remains pending, she believes that she can finally feel “tranquility and peace” in “creating a better future for our children.”
A photo of Jessica.

Letters to America – Jessica

Jessica left her native El Salvador with her three children after she was targeted for her sexual orientation and subject to gang violence. When attempting to enter the U.S. to seek asylum, Jessica was apprehended by Border Patrol agents, and after her release, she spent more than a year diligently attending every court date and required check in appointments with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite her compliance, one day ICE unexpectedly arrested and detained her.

Jessica remained in unlawful detention for more than six years. Separated from her children, Jessica missed countless birthdays, graduations and other milestones. “For me, it was a process full of pain and suffering,” she says. In September 2023, she was finally released from ICE detention after a federal court granted ACLU’s request for review. Today, she is reunited with her family in the U.S. and holds onto her dream “to finally be able to continue my studies,” she says. “My biggest hope is to never be separated from my children and to be able to build a home together where we can forget all the bad memories.”

More on Jessica's story is coming soon.

Jessica remained in unlawful detention for more than six years. Separated from her children, Jessica missed countless birthdays, graduations and other milestones. “For me, it was a process full of pain and suffering,” she says. In September 2023, she was finally released from ICE detention after a federal court granted ACLU’s request for review. Today, she is reunited with her family in the U.S. and holds onto her dream “to finally be able to continue my studies,” she says. “My biggest hope is to never be separated from my children and to be able to build a home together where we can forget all the bad memories.”

More on Jessica's story is coming soon.
A photo of Joseph with his back to the camera.

Letters to America – Joseph

In 2019, Joseph fled from his home in Cameroon to escape the threat of government persecution against English-speaking people. His journey was arduous, taking him through 12 countries and requiring him to leave his wife and three children behind. Despite these hardships, Joseph describes his arrival at the U.S. border as finally “getting into light.”

After winning his asylum case, he sponsored his family and brought them to safety in the United States. Today, Joseph and his family are proud residents of the U.S. and have recently welcomed a new baby. Joseph is grateful for the chance at a new beginning. He says, “I want to make sure that I serve and I give back to America for giving us this opportunity to make it here.”

More on Joseph's story is coming soon.

After winning his asylum case, he sponsored his family and brought them to safety in the United States. Today, Joseph and his family are proud residents of the U.S. and have recently welcomed a new baby. Joseph is grateful for the chance at a new beginning. He says, “I want to make sure that I serve and I give back to America for giving us this opportunity to make it here.”

More on Joseph's story is coming soon.

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