My American Dream, Threatened by a Flawed Immigration System

In 1961, my parents were forced to make a heart-wrenching decision: to send my brother and me, alone, from Cuba to the United States. We were fortunate to be able to leave and eventually reunite with our family, unlike so many others. This experience left a lasting impact on me, and I carry the trauma of that time with me even now.

As an adult, I joined the Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) Leadership Council, driven by the memory of my own childhood fears and the knowledge that no child should have to face them alone. On a recent visit to the Houston immigration court, I witnessed first-hand the confusing and intimidating reality that immigrant children face today.

The courtroom was filled with families, their children sleeping, playing, or fussing as they waited through the tedious process. While the judge was kind to the children, the system itself is not set up to cater to their unique needs. Non-English speaking children struggled to understand, and those with their parents looked to them constantly for reassurance. As an adult, I felt confused and overwhelmed by the proceedings and their potential impact on these children's lives.

It is long past time that we create an immigration system that takes into account the specific situations and vulnerabilities of children. This is not about handing out favors or shortcuts, it is about giving every child a fair chance to plead their case for protection in the United States. After that, the decision rests with the judge.

Children's safety and well-being should transcend political divides. There is a bipartisan bill in Congress that recognizes this, addressing the injustices faced by children in our immigration courts. The Immigration Court Efficiency and Children's Court Act would be a monumental step forward, streamlining migrant children's immigration proceedings and creating a more welcoming environment.

This bill would ensure judges are trained to work with children, establish procedures for their understanding and participation, and coordinate with pro bono legal representation services. This is not just a moral issue, it is a practical one, easing the burden on our already overwhelmed immigration courts, currently facing a staggering backlog of over three million cases.

Immigration is a complex and contentious issue, but protecting children should not be. My own journey to the United States and my time at Texas A&M gave me the opportunity to live the American dream. Every child deserves that chance, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure our systems support, rather than hinder, their dreams.

Jorge Bermudez, president and CEO of the Byebrook Group, and former Chief Risk Officer of Citigroup/Citibank. He migrated to the United States as a child from Cuba and lives in Austin.