UPDATE: A heart-wrenching situation unfolds in Portland as four young siblings navigate life after their parents were detained by ICE. Just this summer, a text message from their mother, Jackie Merlos, read, “Mimi, I’ve been detained. Help me,” thrusting Mimi Lettunich and Kris Wigger into the role of full-time caregivers for the children—Jeffrey (7), and 9-year-old triplets Abby, Carlos, and David.
The siblings, all U.S. citizens, are grappling with a new reality as their parents remain at a detention facility in Tacoma. Their daily lives, once filled with the excitement of childhood, now revolve around school, mealtimes, and scheduled video calls with their parents. “You know, we were on the verge of empty nesting,” Wigger recalled, reflecting on the couple’s life before this overwhelming shift.
In an emotional account, Lettunich shared how the children manage their routine. “David is sweet and he’s the organizer,” she said, highlighting David’s role in coordinating their calls with their parents. However, these calls are bittersweet, occurring behind glass walls where contact is impossible. “Seeing them have to see their parents through glass… is crushing,” Wigger expressed, tears welling in his eyes.
Abby poignantly illustrated their visitation struggles: “Sometimes we go visit them and we go to these glass … booths where we just talk and see each other.” Jeffrey added, “You just talk and you can’t really hear it really well.” The emotional toll on the children is palpable. “I really miss seeing them every day,” Carlos admitted, while David shared, “I miss like everything about them.” Abby’s heart-wrenching reflection captured the moment: “It just makes me want to cry right now.”
The situation has forced these young children to mature faster than their years. Wigger lamented, “They lost summer, they lost a bit of their innocence, a bit of their youth.” The precarious nature of their circumstances is underscored by Carlos’s statement, “If Mimi didn’t know about this, we would already be in Honduras.”
Despite the uncertainty, the family clings to hope. Lettunich emphasized that Jackie’s pending U-visa offers a glimmer of optimism: “It’s not forever. We’re all adjusting, and it won’t be forever.” As the family navigates this challenging time, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the human impact of immigration policies.
Authorities have yet to confirm the timeline for the parents’ release, leaving the community and family members anxiously awaiting updates. This developing story continues to resonate, highlighting the urgent need for compassionate immigration reform. Share this urgent news to raise awareness about the struggles faced by families in similar situations.