Mother’s Day Statement from NDLON

FOR THEM – FOR THE MOTHERS

We do this work for them-
for their courage,
for their safety,
for their boundless, eternal love.

For Yorely Bernal, mother of two-year-old Antonella,
ripped from her child and sent to Venezuela,
while her partner Maiker, the father, was taken-
abducted and locked away in CECOT, the prison in El Salvador.

For Cecilia and Jennifer, mother and wife of Kilmar Abrego-García,
whose son and husband was grabbed without justice,
without trial,
and sent far from them to El Salvador.

For the mother and teenage daughter in Massachusetts,
arms wrapped around a baby,
standing in front of ICE-
holding the line so Mama would not be taken.

For all the mothers torn apart under both Trump administrations-
on the border, in the shadows,
separated by force,
deported without mercy.

For the migrant mothers who left behind their homeland-
the soil that knew their names,
that held their memories,
and everything they loved.

For those who crossed oceans to chase hope,
to offer their children a life they themselves were denied.

For the mothers who are the heart of every home,
the soul of every struggle-
blessed with the miracle of giving life,
and gifted with the strength to cross deserts,
scale mountains,
swim rivers-
all to shelter, feed, and guide their children.

For those who, full of fear,
transform it into resilience and courage-
who face hatred, rejection, racism, exclusion-
and still, with heads held high,
offer their hands,
risk their bodies,
to continue protecting and nurturing.

For all of us, and for our shared humanity-
for every mother who has ever held us,
for every immigrant mother and grandmother
who has carried the weight of generations.
This work is for them.