Hi, my name is Lily, and I am the aunt of 11-year-old Genesis and 6-year-old Denis.

My family was deported in less than 48 hours after attending what was supposed to be a routine immigration appointment in Charlotte. They had an active asylum case and had followed every rule for four years.

After accompanying them from their home in Durham to their check-in at the Charlotte offices, I received a call while I waited for them in the parking lot. A federal agent told me to go home because my family was not coming back out.

Genesis, Denis, and their parents were taken in a van with tinted windows. They could see me, but they couldn’t even wave goodbye.

They were deported with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Genesis and Denis are elementary school students from Durham who are loved by their teachers and classmates. Their parents have always worked hard to try and build a safe life for their family. As of this morning, they are in Honduras. They were forced back to a place where they have no home, no belongings, and no resources.

We are raising funds to help them restart their lives — for food, clothing, shelter, and basic stability.

Please consider donating or sharing their story. Your support means everything to our family.