As a Chinese American, this resonates with me so much, I feel them. I've been through those similar footsteps as that kid, I was about the same age when I first got here, I was in second grade. But I've never been separated like that... I mean... I feel sad when I was in school, in an environment where almost nobody spoke my language (besides like a few classmates that were born here and grew up bilingual), and I felt alone, and my mother would pick me up from school like very late from the after school program that ran until 6PM, being separated from parents for just a few hours was already anxiery inducing enough, but this kid is now facing much worse than I ever did. I was also in NYC, so I can almost picture that scene... of being alone, and scared. I mean being separated like that, for extended period of time... who know how long this could be... must be terrifying, leaving your home country and trying to find a better life... only to get rejected by the country you are trying seeking help in.
My family are legal, I'm a US Citizen now, but still, imagine if this admin was in power back around 2010s when I first arrived and didn't have citizenship status... and on that topic, my dad is still not a citizen yet (English is hard for adults)... so um... we could still theoretically get separated at any moment if this admin tries anything... 👀