Late January, 2023

Reporting on February 2, 2023, the Nogales-based Kino Border Initiative (KBI) recounted a case of family separation in Border Patrol custody.

Emelia [name changed to protect privacy] was traveling with her 6 year old granddaughter who suffers from epilepsy and needs to be reunited with her mother who lives in the US. Although Emelia had a notarized letter giving her permission to travel with her granddaughter as well as her medical diagnosis, BP [Border Patrol] separated her from her granddaughter, who wears a diaper and doesn’t verbally communicate due to her disability.

— “Early February Update on Asylum, Border, and Deportations from KBI” (Nogales: Kino Border Initiative, February 2, 2023).

Sector(s): Tucson

Agency(ies): Border Patrol

Event Type(s): Family Separation

Accountability Status: Unknown

Victim Classification: Disability, Family Unit