SAN YSIDRO, Calif. — As an advocate for deportees and family reunifications, Yolanda Varona was able to witness some of the stories of deported veterans and mothers who after years of strife managed to return to the United States with their families. This Friday was her turn.
Varona, deported to Mexico in 2011 after living in the U.S. for 18 years, was able to hug her daughter for the first time in more than a decade. The emotional reunion took place outside the San Ysidro pedestrian crossing, minutes after Varona returned to the country with a humanitarian parole.
“It was like being born again,” said Varona, describing the moment she was able to hold her daughter.
