Jarred Bean's timely essay provides stark parallels between ethnic cleansing and the government's response to the COVID-19 crisis.

"Today marks nearly 14 months that I have not kissed or hugged my small child."

"I do my best to help other children who are sad," 12-year-old W says in his declaration. He and his 4-year-old brother were separated from their uncle after crossing the border.

The family and Alexander himself have requested five times that he be paroled, but they have received two denials, each containing incorrect information. Other requests have gone unanswered.

"Her granddaughter was taken from her as an unaccompanied minor. She is 16, and now is likely in a detention center, a child’s prison, in the US."

JC's story is one of resilience despite being separated from his family at the border, locked in solitary confinement, and suffering from both medical and psychological issues while in detention - all prior to his being deported.

Immigration enforcement—and the threat of such actions—can negatively impact a child’s long-term health and development.

An advocate for immigrant children and families, Frida Espinosa Cardenas offers critical advice for navigating the complexities faced by parents separated from their children.

On average, 2,371 were being held in immigration detention in 1979. That number has skyrocketed to to more than 52,000 in September of this year. Here's a recap of the history of immigration detention from a new report by the Marshall Project.