The story of Donna*, an MCC Client, humanizes the embittered debate over U.S. Immigration reform. Recently, her husband was detained for an extended period of time by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In his absence, Donna struggled to be the sole provider for the family and to care for her two young children. She recalls:

It is an ugly, hard situation I don’t wish on anyone. It is a very bitter sip to swallow, like a nightmare, every day hoping to wake up. It affected my family emotionally, as well as our health. I was almost never at the house, just to make dinner for my daughters and go to my other job. It wasn’t the home that [my husband] and I made with our children; it wasn’t complete. With his empty chair at the table, [we couldn’t eat dinner in the dining room.] We spent Thanksgiving alone. I thought, “My God, will we have to spend Christmas like this?”**

Stories like Donna’s are all too common and highlight some of the most heartbreaking ways that the American Immigration system fails families. Politicians on both sides of the isle have long decried our inadequate immigration policies. For liberals, the current system is outdated and fails to address and serve America’s changing demographics. For conservatives, the system is already too permissive and presents a threat to national security. Much of the recent media coverage has centered on whether undocumented immigrants who currently live in the United States should be allowed a path to citizenship while remaining in the U.S. or should be required to return to their country of origin before becoming eligible to apply for citizenship. These characterizations are oversimplifications of the realities of immigrant families.

Many immigrant families are comprised parents and children with various immigration statues.

As Donna’s story illustrates, when a parent is forcibly removed from a family, the entire family suffers the effects of the separation.  Research suggests that a parent’s detention or deportation can disrupt a child’s sense of security and potentially cause irrevocable emotional and psychological damage.

At Maternity Care Coalition we are steadfastly dedicated to serving the families with the highest need. We envision a world in which all families and individuals have access to affordable healthcare, are economically self-sufficient and children thrive. MCC will continue to advocate for immigrant families by ensuring they are connected to integrated services and aware of their rights. We will also continue to educate the MCC Community about the need for a comprehensive and compassionate approach to immigration reform.

Recent rhetoric, inflammatory tweets and escalating tensions are scaring families. The City of Philadelphia’s reaffirmation of its status as a Sanctuary City has provided a bit of hope. Another bright spot: her husband was released in time to spend Christmas with his family, but Donna knows her ordeal is far from over. She says, “[We must be] informed and prepared for whatever may come. We must fight. We [must] never give up.”

*Client’s name was changed to protect her identity
** translated

 

Like many moms, I found myself deeply and personally invested in the recent presidential election. As a new mom I know I need to do my part to ensure a safe and better world for my son.  At MCC we are conscious of the many ways that pregnant women, infants and families could be impacted by the outcome of this election.

It has been difficult to come to terms with what the new administration will mean for many of the policies MCC has championed over the years, especially the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The Affordable Care Act has extended coverage to many women and children who were previously uninsured. Medicaid expansion has helped eligible women keep their insurance beyond the postpartum period and supported access to reproductive health care. These changes were groundbreaking. Prior to the implementation of ACA, pregnancy was considered a pre-existing condition, which means health insurance companies could deny a woman coverage because she was pregnant.  ACA also amended the Fair Labor Standards Act to require employers to accommodate nursing mothers in the workplace. These are the sorts of gains for women and children MCC will always work to protect.

Despite the uncertainty and troubling developments, there are bright spots. One thing we know to be true is that babies are bi-partisan, so it is up to MCC and other like-minded individuals and organizations to educate legislators on the policies which will best serve babies and of course their families! Next, this election has garnered national attention for issues like paid maternity leave and policies, which will help to lessen the burden of childcare costs for families. Let’s not allow our elected officials to forget these campaign promises. Finally, 2017 will be an extraordinary opportunity for individuals to get involved. Now more than ever is the time for those invested in improving the well-being of all mothers and children to take action- call your legislators, volunteer your time and donate to organizations committed to ensuring a safe and better world for all children.

Ages 1 to 3 years old:

Pat The Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt

Pat the Bunny is the original interactive, multimedia experience for kids.  Each page shows Paul or Judy involved in an activity–playing peekaboo, smelling flowers, and, of course, patting the bunny.

Ages 1 and up:

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd

In this classic of modern children’s literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.

 Ages 0 to 2 years old:

Oh  David by David Shannon

Perfect for beginning readers as well as for the youngest children and parents to share, the Diaper David books are sure to delight families everywhere.

 

Ages 18 months to 4 years:

Are You My Mother? (Available in Spanish) by P.D. Eastman

A baby bird has hatched while its mother was away. Fallen from his nest, he sets out to find her and asks everyone he meets–a dog, a cow, a plane and more–”Are you my mother?”

Ages 18 months to 3 years:

When I Am/Cuando Estoy by Gladys Rosa-Mendoza

Help your child understand the international language of emotion with this useful English and Spanish language learning book. It teaches children vocabulary words for emotions and even suggests constructive ways to deal with some of their negative feelings.