A family in St. Clair County is facing a heartbreaking situation after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained their mom of two. Sonia Parris, 30, who has lived in the United States since she was just two months old, faced arrest on November 17 for failing to appear in court over a traffic violation.
Family in Pain After Sudden Detention
Sonia Parris is a mom to a 12-year-old son, Taylor, and a 2-year-old daughter, both born in the United States. Her sudden detention has left the children without their mom’s care, creating a deeply emotional and challenging time for the family. Dalton Parris, Taylor’s father, said the situation has affected his son profoundly. “It hits him really, really hard to the point of where he’ll cry himself to sleep,” he shared.
After Sonia’s arrest, the family paid the $50 bond, hoping to bring their mom home quickly. Instead, they were informed that she was being held by ICE, and they have been unable to find out her current location. The uncertainty has added stress and worry for the family.
Dalton’s partner, Jessica Blanchard, explained how difficult it has been to get information from authorities. “She’s not on any of the rosters for the ICE detainees, and any number we call automatically hangs up on us no matter what option we pick,” she said, highlighting the frustration and helplessness the family faces.
Challenges of DACA and Family Life
Sonia Parris has lived and worked in the United States under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, commonly known as Dreamers. This program has allowed her to raise her family and live legally in the country, but the process to maintain DACA status is complex and costly. Applicants must complete renewals every two years, which often takes five to six months to process and requires fees of $500 to $600.
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Dalton Parris described the challenges of maintaining DACA, comparing it to buying a home. “Imagine having to close on a home and handle all the paperwork yourself, and then you also have to fill out these DACA forms,” he said. “And on top of all that, you’re paying taxes, doing due diligence, and paying the filing fee just to get one and a half years of comfort.”
The situation has left the family unsure when their mom will be able to return home. Taylor will celebrate his 13th birthday on November 28 without his mom. The young boy is learning to navigate life without the support and guidance of his mom at school events, sports activities, and daily life. Meanwhile, his two-year-old sister is missing the nurturing presence only a mom can provide.
Desperate Attempts to Reunite with Mom
The family has made efforts to communicate with their mom while she is in detention. Dalton explained a recent phone call with her while she was at the St. Clair County Jail. “We were able to speak with her and try to get some information, but it was mostly tears between her and my son. They were just crying into the phone together,” he said.
Sonia’s court date has been scheduled for December 16. According to the family, she is expected to be transferred to Louisiana on November 21. Until then, the family remains in a state of uncertainty and emotional distress, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy for their children amid the situation.
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Dalton Parris emphasized the human side of the situation. “At the end of the day, we’re just people. We’re all human beings trying to make it in this world, and these people are no different. Sonia is no different than anyone else,” he said.
To support their mom and the family during this difficult time, Dalton and Jessica have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover legal expenses and other needs. The family hopes that sharing their story will shed light on the struggles faced by countless families affected by similar situations.