Many of you have known us separately and most of you have known us together. Our journey began in 2011, upon meeting while students at a local Cuban dance school here in Atlanta, GA. It is in this space of dance, that our friendship grew and evolved into a special bond and love. In 2014, we were joined by our community of family and friends as we exchanged vows to journey this life hand in hand. We established our home in the beloved community in South Atlanta, Mandy had been part of for 6 years prior. It is here Antonio joined the community, bringing with him his understanding of neighboring countries, from his earlier years in his hometown in Mexico. And now, as we near our 10th year of marriage, and with our two children, we are a blessed family: surrounded by friends and family who are always there to share in our joys and to support however and whenever the need arises.

While we understood Antonio’s immigration journey would be part of our collective story, we weren’t clear in the details of how. Embarking on the legal proceedings of obtaining his visa was one we delayed out of fear. Fear of separation, fear of cost, fear we could experience even a portion of the horrors that many, who embark on this journey, experience. At a time when we were realizing the potential of further uncertainty for us in this country, we felt pressure that time was of the essence and so we began meeting with attorneys and gathering necessary information on what would be required of us to begin. We were quite fortunate to have the insight, support, and guidance from a family friend who knew a thing or two about immigration law.

And so in 2017, we began the legal proceedings of Antonio’s immigration journey. It is also during this same year Mandy learned they would be expecting their first child. A shock on many levels and a welcome blessing they sought to prioritize and protect. The impact of Mandy’s health, namely life with Type I Diabetes, did impact her pregnancy, requiring a pivot of sorts to minimize her stress load and assign priority to decisions that would optimize her health and the health of this pregnancy. During this time, their proceedings stalled until well after Itzáe was born, and Mandy and Itzáe’s health began to stabilize after a traumatic birth experience requiring NICU support for their son. During the winter of 2018, when they learned they acquired a favorable reply to their first step in the legal proceedings, they learned they were expecting once again. This pregnancy was further impacted by Mandy’s Diabetes health and as a result their daughter, Suré, was born early, requiring NICU support. As Antonio and Mandy found themselves in a new world of parenthood and the indescribable love for their children, they also began to realize a whole new set of fears, as they continued along with the legal proceedings, now with their children. The pandemic, which began six months after Sure was born, immediately and progressively stalled these proceedings.

During this time, Antonio and Mandy had many discussions and conversations with one another, with trusted confidants, and with their attorney as to how best to wait this out during a time when the hostility toward the immigrant community was at an all-time high. Many decisions and sacrifices were made to provide a safety net around their family, to keep them safe, whole, and intact here in the United States, while continuing on in obtaining his visa. Even still, our children remain happy and thriving, we are whole and intact.

Finally, in December of 2023, we received a favorable reply to a second and third filing of our proceedings. We had been waiting for a response to these for 3+ years. We anticipated his Consulate Interview to be near, but still a year out, as it was the next and final step in obtaining his visa, and so began discussing our way through fears and uncertainties with this next step. However, on February 29th of this year, barely 2 months since the previous ruling, we were notified of Antonio’s Consulate Interview assignment: 04/01/24 at 7:30am, in Juarez, MX. As you may or may not know, this next step for Antonio specifically, requires him to return to his country of origin, be examined and interviewed by representatives at the US Embassy in Juarez, Mexico. While we have been granted favorable replies to each of these necessary filings, this interview holds its own weight and can wholly approve or deny his visa application, leaving him to reside in Mexico until we, along with our attorney, identify and act upon a legal path forward, to bring him back home to his family. If all goes smoothly, we anticipate a 2-week stay in Juarez, undergoing his interview and the other necessary appointments and proceedings, to begin March 26th.

We are hopeful God has led us this far and promises to keep us in His Care. As much fear as we may hold, it is, at times, a conscious effort to lean into that hope and the Truth of God’s Love for our family. Our community and the countless ways each one has shown support is a tangible reflection of their love and of God’s Love and Provision over us. And so gratitude is always palpable and near.

While he is in Mexico, he will have the incredible opportunity to reunite with his Mother, siblings, and extended family once his interview is complete. He was barely an adult when he left home, 19 years of age. It has been 20 years, in which he has made our country his home, and has created a family in partnership with Mandy. To say this reunion is a dream in the making is to not adequately express its meaning. He has lost significant family members since his departure. He has also witnessed from afar his siblings growing into successful adults with families of their own. To have the opportunity to introduce his family: his wife and children to their family in Mexico would be a full circle kind of moment.

Because of the nature of the federal immigration law and due to the growing hostilities at the border, along with the realities of concern over safety in Juarez, Itzae and Sure will not join them for the stay in Juarez. The goal is for Mandy to accompany him to Juarez while the kids stay with family, maintaining as much consistency to their daily lives as possible. At which point he has acquired his visa, we would travel back to Atlanta, and immediately return to Mexico to meet and spend precious time with the family in Puebla. There are alternate plans or action steps should things not go well or as we had hoped so that the kids aren’t without Mandy for too long. And so that we can move forward with a legal plan of action with our attorney. I’d like to point out, at this point, that even our attorney is not permitted to make this journey, nor represent him before the Embassy. This reflects some of the complexities of the law and the stress added to immigrant families.

We are working diligently to consider all options of travel so as to reduce the cost of this next step. At this point, costs are averaging between $8,000-$10,000. This not only includes travel back and forth, but also room and board, and food. While we work diligently to set money aside, we welcome any support you may wish to extend toward our effort. We also welcome your prayer support. As we embark on this next step, we will keep you updated along the way. You will see a link to subscribe to email updates of journeys to and from Mexico. You will also see a Donate Now button here to aid in our funding.

It is with sincere gratitude for the many, many ways you each have supported us along the way! We remain hopeful this will be a smooth journey with optimal outcomes! We look forward to sharing updates along the way.