Vigil at Nogales border for kids separated from families

NOGALES, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Dozens came from as far as Flagstaff to Nogales in honor of the thousands of children waiting to be reunited with their parents.

They may have been a small group, but they had a big message.

"We want to make sure that those kids still get back to their families," said Christie Black, who traveled from Mesa for the vigil.

Black and Julie Jorgenson never met in person until Saturday. Both of them made their way to Nogales that evening to make their voices heard on a cause they care about.

"They are not our enemies. They're not terrible people that we need to be afraid of," explained Jorgenson.

It's a cause that cuts deep for Black, as a mom herself.

"Even before I was a mother, we are a nation that should protect the most vulnerable. Who is more vulnerable than our children?," she asked.

The pair is a part of the organization Mormon Women for Ethical Government. They have members across Southern Arizona.

Andrea Dalton, the Chapter Head of MWEG told Tucson News Now, "When you grow up in a border community, I think it all brings it closer to home."

Dalton and her chapter put together this vigil for the families awaiting reunion, after thousands were separated upon entering the United States.

For them, it seemed only fitting to use the border fence as the backd rop.

"It feels bigger than us, but I want everyone to know there are small things we can do," Dalton said.

Their prayers and songs they hoped would be heard near and far, as those like Black think of those migr ant families awaiting peace.

"This is on top of everything else that's happened in their life. They're not here because everything has been rosy and rainbows," she said.

MWEG told TNN they also plan to reach out to lawmakers to advocate for these families in Congress.

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