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Elsa Ortiz, 25, was deported to Guatemala from the United States on June 5 without her son Anthony, 8.
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'I can't Go Without my Son' a Mother Pleaded as She was Deported to Guatemala.
Marian Carrasquero/NYT
Randy and Tina Carter read this NYT article days before a planned trip to Guatemala. They arranged pro bono legal representation for Anthony and set out to find Elsa in Guatemala. She came from a village on the Guatemala El Salvador border. Social media led the Carters to Elsa's contact info and to a Guatemalan lawyer/journalist, Pedro Solares, who set up a meeting in Guatemala City. Pedro guided and translated communication between the Carters and Elsa's family. After several hours trust grew and Elsa signed the G28 form making the Avenatti law firm her and Anthony's legal representation in the U.S.
Marian Carrasquero/NYT
Randy and Tina Carter read this NYT article days before a planned trip to Guatemala. They arranged pro bono legal representation for Anthony and set out to find Elsa in Guatemala. She came from a village on the Guatemala El Salvador border. Social media led the Carters to Elsa's contact info and to a Guatemalan lawyer/journalist, Pedro Solares, who set up a meeting in Guatemala City. Pedro guided and translated communication between the Carters and Elsa's family. After several hours trust grew and Elsa signed the G28 form making the Avenatti law firm her and Anthony's legal representation in the U.S.
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Elsa with only a 6th grade education and no experience beyond her rural upbringing, stood bravely outside a hotel in Guatemala City where Kirstjen Nielson (DHS Secretary) met with Central American leaders. |
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81 days later her American lawyers escorted Anthony home to Guatemala. The reunion was an emotional and joyous moment but the lack of opportunity they tried to escape had not changed. |
Only 1 in 10 Guatemalan children enter high school. The impoverished circumstances of Anthony's family guaranteed he would not be one of them.
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In an effort to provide opportunity for him in his own country the Albuquerque Democrat Ward 28C set up a fund to pay for Anthony's education. The Carters found a private K-12 school in Guatemala City where teachers and staff are dedicated to helping children like Anthony get caught up and reach their potential. Anthony entered 2nd grade on January 11 and is fired up to do his best!
Bautista Shalom Colegio
grades K - 12 |
Anthony's first day of school
January 15, 2018 |