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Gallery: This Guatemalan family hasn’t seen their 8-year-old in months
A collection of photos by Carlos Sebastián for Nómada and Michael Stravato for the Tribune shows David Xol and Florinda Bol in Guatemala and the Texas facility where their son has been held since late May.
By John Jordan, Carlos Sebastián and Michael Stravato
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Gallery: This Guatemalan family hasn’t seen their 8-year-old in months
President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy drew sharp rebukes after it was announced in April 2018 — especially after children who had been separated from their parents started being placed in a tent city in Tornillo. Trump signed an executive order June 20 that would keep immigrant families together, but it’s unclear how — or if — families that have already been separated will be reunited. With support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, The Texas Tribune has been reporting on the issue from the Texas-Mexico border, Washington, D.C., and Austin. You can help by sending story tips to tips@texastribune.org.More in this series
Last May, David Xol, a farmworker from the town of San Miguel Limón in the highlands of Guatemala, made his way with his 7-year-old son Byron across Mexico to the Texas border during the height of the Trump Administration’s zero-tolerance policy toward undocumented immigrants. They were apprehended by Border Patrol officers and later that month, David Xol was deported back to Guatemala. His son was sent to a shelter in Baytown, where he’s been ever since.
Florinda Bol holds a picture of her husband, David, and her son Byron. Carlos Sebastián/Nómada
David Xol, his wife Florinda Bol and their two other sons at their home in San Miguel Limón. Carlos Sebastián/Nómada
This is the home of the Xol Bol family in San Miguel Limón. Carlos Sebastián/Nómada
Florinda prepares a meal as her young son looks on. Carlos Sebastián/Nómada
Byron’s school in San Miguel Limón. Carlos Sebastián/Nómada
Byron’s classroom. Carlos Sebastián/Nómada
Carlos Pop, Byron’s first-grade teacher in San Miguel Limón, shows his class roster. “In my class, I have 19 students,” said Pop. “Today only 18 were present. There is one that is in the U.S., they say.” Carlos Sebastián/Nómada
Byron’s name on the attendance sheet. Carlos Sebastián/Nómada
Byron is in this BCFS shelter in Baytown, near Houston. Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune
The family talks to Byron on the phone. They receive weekly calls from their son. Carlos Sebastián/Nómada
Byron’s brother talks to him on the phone. Carlos Sebastián/Nómada
“My son has started to hate me,” Xol said. “He said, ‘Why did you leave me? Am I not your son?’ I told him not to say that.” Carlos Sebastián/Nómada
The Xol Bol home at night. Carlos Sebastián/Nómada
John Jordan is the deputy director of photography, part of the team that ensures our stories are graced with arresting visuals. Based in Austin, John grew up in South America and has managed to hang on...
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