For José and his family, the memories of that harrowing day remain vivid, even years later. Torn from his father’s embrace by federal agents at the southern border, José became one of the many migrant children affected by the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies. This crackdown became a symbol of the former president’s aggressive stance on immigration.

The New York Times chronicled José’s story after he was separated from his father in May 2018, when he was just 5 years old. He was placed with a foster family in Michigan, an experience that would leave a lasting mark on him. Today, José is thriving in sixth grade in Houston, where he is reunited with his parents. He is excelling academically, showcasing his musical talent by playing guitar in the school band, and nurturing his passion for soccer.

“You possess all the qualities to take you very far in life,” his English teacher, Ms. Keller, wrote in a heartfelt note to him dated October 2. Despite the bright future his teachers envision for him, José grapples with the shadows of his past.

“I don’t trust anybody,” he confessed in a recent interview. “I just trust my mom and dad.” The memories of those tumultuous months linger in his mind. “I think about it,” he admitted. “I just don’t tell anyone about it.”

Now, he and his parents live under the weight of uncertainty, as they remain undocumented. As former President Trump embarks on his campaign for another term, promising a return to the harsh immigration tactics of the past, the haunting specter of family separation continues to resonate with those who opposed the policy and those who lived through its devastating repercussions.