2026 Feature Story

‘Why are you taking away my father from me? He is the only one I have,’ wept 10-year-old Scarlett clinging to him as ICE agents...

‘Why are you taking away my father from me? He is the only one I have,’ wept 10-year-old Scarlett clinging to him as ICE agents detained him after his immigration court hearing in NY on July 31, 2025 Anita and her two daughters struggle after Hermel Rodrigo was taken, leaving a broken family. Scarlett’s biological dad was murdered, and this is a second painful loss in her young life. Family separations are heart-wrenching as children are traumatized, caught in the crossfire of Trump’s controversial immigration reform policies amid a mass deportation effort. Scarlett was initially emotionally shut down. She makes drawings of Jesus protecting her Papa and watches TikTok videos about saying goodbye. Slowly they adapt to a new normal. Anita throws a party for Ashley who celebrated her 3rd birthday without her Daddy. When he calls, she cuddles and kisses the phone. ‘Ash… my little girl, my little girl,’ he says, crying. As he languishes in detention, he is missing the tender growing up moments of his precious, precocious daughter. They had traversed the jungle of the Darien Gap with newborn Ashley, fleeing Ecuador to follow their dream of a safer life in America. Anita is proactive, seeking legal advice and therapy at local churches which are epicenters for aid, prayer and solace. She breaks down at times weeping, ‘Desperation. I don’t know what to do.’ They are working to secure Hermel’s release, insisting he is wrongly accused. She tells him, ‘Surrender to God. You’re not a criminal… You’re not alone, you have us.’ Her own hearing is looming. For now, she falls asleep embracing her girls, holding onto fragile hope as they await an uncertain destiny. There is a vast political divide. Some protest, decrying a lack of due process and a slippery slide into fascism. Others applaud. And daily, detentions continue.

Scarlett, 10 years old, was emotionally shut down from yet another profound loss in her young life after her father was detained by ICE at...

Scarlett, 10 years old, was emotionally shut down from yet another profound loss in her young life after her father was detained by ICE at his immigration court hearing as she lays on her bed at home in Brooklyn NY on August 15, 2025. Her biological father was murdered and now she is traumatized by witnessing the detainment by masked men.‘Why are you taking away my father from me,’ she wept. ‘He is the only one I have.’ Local churches have provided assistance with legal issues and also therapy for the family as they adapt to a new normal without him.

Scarlett, 10 years old, sits alone in her room making a drawing asking Jesus to watch over her Papa after he was detained by ICE...

Scarlett, 10 years old, sits alone in her room making a drawing asking Jesus to watch over her Papa after he was detained by ICE at his immigration court hearing in Brooklyn NY on August 12, 2025. She emotionally shut down from yet another profound loss in her young life. Her biological father was murdered and now she is traumatized by witnessing the detainment by masked men.‘Why are you taking away my father from me,’ she wept. ‘He is the only one I have.’ Local churches have provided assistance with legal issues and also therapy for the family as they adapt to a new normal without him.

Anita embraces her girls, Scarlett, 10 and Ashley, 3 as they await an uncertain destiny during a worship service at St. Peter’s church in New...

Anita embraces her girls, Scarlett, 10 and Ashley, 3 as they await an uncertain destiny during a worship service at St. Peter’s church in New York NY on August 24, 2025. The migrant family from Ecuador struggles after her partner Hermel Rodrigo was detained by ICE following his immigration court hearing leaving a broken family. Children are traumatized, caught in the crossfire of Trump’s controversial immigration reform policies amid a mass deportation effort. ‘Why are you taking away my father from me,’ Scarlett wept. ‘He is the only one I have.’ Her biological dad was murdered, and this is a second painful loss in her young life.

Anita and her daughters Scarlett and Ashley take the subway home after visiting a church providing legal assistance about Hermel’s case in New York, NY...

Anita and her daughters Scarlett and Ashley take the subway home after visiting a church providing legal assistance about Hermel’s case in New York, NY on September 3, 2025. He was detained by ICE after his immigration court hearing and Anita insists the charges against him stemmed from a misunderstanding and she is appealing for his release before possible deportation. Local churches provide not only prayers and solace but also lawyers and resources for families as they adapt to a new normal without the breadwinner of the household.

Ashley loves makeup and admires at her image in a mirror as she celebrates her 3rd birthday without her Papa at home in Brooklyn, NY...

Ashley loves makeup and admires at her image in a mirror as she celebrates her 3rd birthday without her Papa at home in Brooklyn, NY on September 30, 2025. Her father Hermel Rodrigo was detained by ICE after his immigration court hearing and the family adapts to a new normal without him. When he calls, she cuddles and kisses the phone. ‘Ash… my little girl, my little girl,’ he says, crying. As he languishes in detention, he is missing the tender growing up moments of his precious, precocious daughter.

Ashley wears a pretty dress during her birthday party as she turns 3 years old without her Papa at her home in Brooklyn, NY on...

Ashley wears a pretty dress during her birthday party as she turns 3 years old without her Papa at her home in Brooklyn, NY on September 30, 2025. Her father Hermel Rodrigo was detained by ICE after his immigration court hearing and the family adapts to a new normal without him. When he calls, she cuddles and kisses the phone. ‘Ash… my little girl, my little girl,’ he says, crying. As he languishes in detention, he is missing the tender growing up moments of his precious, precocious daughter.