Woman gets emotional after reuniting with her mother after almost 25 years

Being separated from your closest family for any reason can be painful and heartbreaking, especially when the separation lasts for decades. This was the case for Carlota Arrieta and her mother, Victoria Fernandez, as they lived nearly 25 years without each other's warm embrace. Fortunately, the pair's over two-decades-long separation recently came to an end thanks to the Arizona nonprofit organization, Hidalgo Sin Fronteras, which works to support the migrant community, reports 12 News. 

"Today, we are here to receive my grandmother. She is from Guererro, Mexico," shared Arrieta's daughter, Adalia Roldan. Although she had the chance to visit her grandmother two years ago, it wasn’t the same for her mom, who had been waiting nearly a quarter of a century. "So that's why we are here today, to see my mom hug her one more time." Arrieta was on the verge of tears as her daughter spoke. "Well, within our community, lots of our parents are not able to go back to Mexico or to Guatemala," the granddaughter explained. On the day of the long-awaited reunion, many people and volunteers in Christmas hats waited to greet their family members, perhaps finally having the opportunity to see them after years.

"We are very grateful for the team that we are able to bring them here," Roldan added. Finally, after a long wait, people were reunited with their families, including Arrieta, who embraced her mom when they finally met and presented her with a big bouquet. "There are really no words that can explain it," Roldan said as her mother cried upon seeing Fernandez after so many years. "But super special, priceless and long overdue memories created. It's important because we get to have that special moment with our family member one more time," the granddaughter emphasized. She, too, was in tears, witnessing the emotional reunion between her grandma and mom.

The organization that made the reunion possible wrote on its website, "We are a nonprofit organization based in Arizona. We are dedicated to supporting the migrant community." Currently, their largest program is "family reunification." Through the program, they "assist older adults from Mexico and Guatemala in obtaining a 10-year visa to reunite with their families in the U.S." They shared, "From 2019 to 2024, we have helped over 600 older adults from Mexico. Our first group of 28 older adults from Guatemala arrived in March 2024. We are working to expand the program to El Salvador soon."

The organization has a vision to "promote family reunification, community participation, solidarity, the preservation of traditions and the defense of rights among migrants." The organization was founded by Isamer Moreno's mom. Moreno shared that they have so far helped 49 individuals who hadn't seen their family in 20-plus years. Moreno's own family benefitted from the organization's work, too. "My family was fortunate enough to have my grandfather come and be reunited with my dad after 22 years and then my grandmother came in 2019. Seeing my dad reunite with his mother was a dream come true," he said. Roldan added, "It is a lengthy process, but it is well worth it. We waited two years, but these two years have flown by, so if you are thinking about it, don’t think about it twice, give them a call and this could be you next time."