Noami and Juan.

Noami and Juan.

I have known Noami since the week that she crossed the border with friends at age 19.  She was always very independent and conquered the challenge of a new culture and status.  She very quickly acquired a job in a local restaurant and has worked every day and sometimes nights since.  She learned English and we talked much about the role of women and families.  When I see her, I often think of the phrase that “women need men like a fish needs a bicycle”.  She worked hard and soon became a manager at the restaurant.  She bought her own trailer and painted it throughout.  She bought her own car and taught herself how to drive.  She has never been stopped for a traffic offense.  After a few years, she had her first baby boy whom she cared for with the help of friends.  She refused any kind of social service help.  When he was six she went on vacation and four months later those around her realized that she was pregnant again.  When the baby was several months old, I babysat for him while she worked.  She indicated that a friend of hers would pick him up.  I was surprised when a handsome male I didn’t know showed up and the baby was delighted to see him.  His bond with the baby was very clear.  I questioned Noami later and learned that Juan was the father of baby George.  She had no feelings for him but he had moved over 200 miles to be near his baby.  He has no other relatives in the United States.  He insists on seeing the child on a regular basis and does help support him.  Noami has several night shifts on her job and eventually let him babysit while she was gone.  Then Juan got picked up by the police for driving without a license or insurance and was picked up by ICE.  Noami was very upset and immediately figured out where he was and began to bond with other women whose husbands were being held.  I had never seen her so upset.  Several weeks later the three men were released from a county jail (ICE had rented space) without bond but all are to have immigration hearings in one year.  This couple is now together.  ICE has helped baby George and his big brother have a family.  Noami knows that that could be undone at the next hearing, especially if immigration needs detainees for immigration centers or needs to deport more people for their own statistics.