The Untold Story Behind Detentions and Deportations
For more than a year, Sisters Marie Chiodo, DW, and Anne Marie Gardiner, SSND, along with numerous parish volunteers, have been dedicated to supporting refugees impacted by deportations. Together, they have mobilized their Silver Spring, Maryland community, fostering a compassionate movement of solidarity and action. Sr. Marie says, “People are showing up, doing what they can.” One couple who have been so generous to the refugees are retired, and their contribution is not modest.” And they, like many others, wish to remain anonymous, to do their work quietly and efficiently in support of their neighbors.
M & R are one such couple whose generous donation helped restore hope to a family devastated by the deportation of its primary provider—the husband and father of two young children. Their support has brought hope, comfort, and stability during an incredibly difficult time.
Sr. Marie shared the following correspondence with M & R, updating them on how their generous donation has helped Candelaria. Candelaria was left alone to support herself and her two children when her husband was deported to Guatemala.
“Dear M and R:
Just wanted to share a few ways your generous gift is bringing hope. It's all in the story below.
The Untold Story Behind Detentions and Deportations
Candelaria's husband was deported to Guatemala about 9 weeks ago. She's 24 and has a 2- and a 4-year-old. She's here now with no family and no means of support. So she has decided to self-deport. Our parish, St. Camillus in Silver Spring, is providing legal assistance with the self-deporting processes. That has meant getting her husband's permission (from Guatemala) in writing, as it is needed to obtain the passports for their 2 US-born children. Also, she is getting her paperwork in order with a parish volunteer translator's assistance, and we are helping her, through your generous donation, with bills and food. The passport work has been sent in, and it will probably be a month or more till she receives them. Then, with the money you gave us, we will purchase plane tickets for the 2 children. The government pays her ticket.
Home Delivery Service
Two weeks ago, we brought Candelaria 220 diapers along with food, some clothes, and toys for the boys. She seemed happiest about the diapers, and Walmart loves us!!! Each week, she is part of a home delivery service provided by church volunteers to seven families in her situation: needing food, money for rent, bills, and legal fees when we run out of pro bono help.
Countless other families like them exist around us
The photos show women picking up supplies outside the parish food pantry, and the food we, or other volunteers, deliver each week to seven families in Candelaria's situation. Countless other families like them exist around us. The parish provides non-perishable food, and with the money you gave, we buy fresh chicken, vegetables, and fruit as well as cookies for the children. Food is brought to the apartments because the women cannot leave their young children, are afraid to go out, and do not have transportation.
This is the untold story behind detentions and deportations that the public never hears about- the women and children stranded here with no means of support.
I hope this gives you a flavor of the good you have done—the hope you bring to our world. Thank you doesn't say enough. But thank you.
Be well, both of you.
Gratefully,
Marie and Anne Marie”
M & R responded,
“Hi, Marie and Anne Marie:
Thanks for the update. R and I were glad to see that our MODEST support was helpful. We want and intend to do more. (R was ready to head out to buy toys and diapers….).”