LA program, helps 59 elderly Mexican parents hug their children again after decades without seeing each other

With tears of emotion and a small horn in hand that made a love song resonate, Tomás Hernández ran to his mother and knelt down to hug her tightly.

The hug seemed endless. With kisses and sweet words in his ear, his mother, Florencia Gregorio, returned her son's affection.

She was one of 59 elderly parents who arrived from Mexico to Los Angeles this week to visit their children who they didn't see for more than one, two or even three decades.

"I feel such great pain but joy," Gregorio said this Friday during the meeting that took place on the steps of the Los Angeles City Hall.

His son said that 16 years ago he left his native Oaxaca, Mexico, to emigrate to the United States in search of a better life. There remained his mother and his four brothers.

Tomás says that a few months ago he heard about the “Families without Borders” program, which is done by Councilor Gil Cedillo's office along with other entities.

Without much thought he decided to try to apply for a visa for his mother. And his wish was granted.

“I feel very happy now that I am here,” said Mrs. Gregorio while her son kept hugging her. "And I always tell him to behave."

Aurelio Aldana, 33, was also in the group of anxious family members waiting for their old men. The native of Hidalgo, Mexico, said 17 years ago he left his city Pachuca to emigrate to San Francisco, northern California.

He indicated that a few months ago his wife learned about this program and that they both decided to send a request to see if their mother could qualify. To their good luck, they did accept it.

When they told him that his mother would come, Aldana says she couldn't contain the emotion.

"I learned about two months ago that they had already approved (the application) but changed the dates to come," said the immigrant.

"I was very happy, I already wanted the day to come."

Aldana and her family sent for t-shirts that said "Welcome mom" and the smallest of the family wore a shirt that said "Best Grandma Ever" (The best grandmother in the world).

With flowers in his hands and very nervous, Aurelio Aldana walked towards his mother when it was his turn and as a small child he could not hold back his tears while his mother comforted him and also cried with joy.

Then he said he was surprised at how young his mother, Eugenia Ángeles, looked when he was 60 years old.

“I am very happy with this reunification and I am very grateful to everyone for this opportunity,” said Aldana. "We're going to spoil her a lot right now."

On the other hand, her mother said to remember the exact moment in which her son said goodbye to her. "He told me I'm leaving" and confessed that he did not imagine that she would come to see him in the US; He always thought that he would return to Mexico.

“When they approved my visa, I felt a lot of joy,” said Angeles.

Aurelio Aldana could not avoid tears when he saw his mother after 17 years. (Jacqueline García)

Gathering families

Family reunification included people from the Mexican states of Nayarit, Mexico City, Veracruz, Morelos, Puebla, Oaxaca, Jalisco and Michoacán.

The event was part of the Families without Borders project by Councilman Gil Cedillo in association with the PUEDE Center and the Government of Nayarit.

For personal reasons the councilor could not be present but Adriana González, spokesperson for the event, said the program is specific for parents of the elderly.

"The program is approved by the US embassy in Mexico where parents receive their tourist visa," González said, adding that visas are usually granted for 10 years.

"But in the first stay they only have 15 days to be here and they must respect that permission … The first time they come in a group, then they can come (to visit) their children whenever they want."

Councilor Cedillo, like other entities, were responsible for granting letters of invitation for parents to arrive.

A group of 59 seniors arrived in Los Angeles on Friday to meet their children. (Jacqueline García / The Opinion)

And the results did not disappoint anyone. The elderly parents, although tired of the trip, were very excited to see their children again.

Everyone gathered in Mexico City to depart by plane to Los Angeles.

Mrs. Gloria Martínez, who wore a mariachi hat for her daughter, María Inés Palacios, said she was very happy to have the opportunity to see her after 20 years.

"(I thought) … I won't know her anymore when I see her," Martinez said shortly before meeting her.

Shortly after hugging mother and daughter, Palacios said he felt a huge emotion of finally being next to his mother again.

"Thank God he let me see her again."

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