AP PHOTOS: Honduran boy, mom fly after border detention
AP PHOTOS: Honduran boy, mom fly after border detention
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, a migrant from Honduras, looks out an airplane window in Harlingen, Texas, as he and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, ride on an airplane to Houston, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The mother and son, who were headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, were permitted to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves into U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon crossing the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, a migrant from Honduras, looks out at a United Airlines regional jet that will transport him and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, at Valley International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. The mother and son, who were headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, were allowed to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon crossing the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, left, a migrant from Honduras, explores the instruments above his seat as his mother, Celestina Ramirez, looks on during an airplane ride to Houston, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. Even though flying seems luxurious compared to her journey through Central America and Mexico and border detention, Ramirez is still anxious because it’s her first time. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, right, a migrant from Honduras, kisses her son Yancarlos Amaya, 5, while riding on an airplane to Houston, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. The mother and son, who are headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, were granted to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves to U.S. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, left, a migrant from Honduras, talks with her son Yancarlos Amaya, 5, before boarding a plane at Valley International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. The mother and son, who are headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, were allowed to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon crossing the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, a migrant from Honduras, looks for her seat on a plane with her son Yancarlos Amaya, 5, at Valley International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. The mother and son, who are headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, wereallowed to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon crossing the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, left, a migrant from Honduras, claps in excitement as he prepares to ride a plane for the first time with his mother, Celestina Ramirez, at Valley International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. A few days ago Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Rio Grande, the barrier between the U.S. and Mexico, is visible from the window of a United Airlines regional jet carrying Celestina Ramirez, a migrant from Honduras, and her son Yancarlos Amaya, 5, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. A few days ago, Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, a migrant from Honduras, spins around his mother, Celestina Ramirez, during a layover at George Bush International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Houston. A few days ago, Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, right, a migrant from Honduras, and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, ride a tram between terminals during a layover at George Bush International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Houston. A few days ago, Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, a migrant from Honduras, walks the jetway with her son, Yancarlos Amaya, 5, toward a plane in Houston that will take them to Baltimore at George Bush International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. A few days ago, Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, left, a migrant from Honduras, and her son, Yancarlos Amaya, 5, are hugged by Ramirez’s brother Marco Ramirez after they are reunited at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The mother and son arrived in Baltimore after they were allowed to stay in the U.S. upon turning themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, left, a migrant from Honduras, is hugged by her brother Marco Ramirez after they were reunited at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The siblings had not seen each other in 14 years. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, bottom left, a migrant from Honduras, talks to family friend Dimas Barahona, bottom right, at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Yancarlos and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, top left, were reunited with Ramirez’s brother Marco Ramirez when they arrived in Baltimore. The siblings had not seen each other in 14 years. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, front left, a migrant from Honduras, leaps off an escalator while holding the hand of family friend Dimas Barahona, front right, at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Yancarlos and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, were reunited with Ramirez’s brother, Marco Ramirez, when they arrived in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, right, a migrant from Honduras, and her son, Yancarlos Amaya, 5, sit in the vehicle of family friend Dimas Barahona after Ramirez was reunited with her brother at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The siblings had not seen each other in 14 years. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, a migrant from Honduras, looks out an airplane window in Harlingen, Texas, as he and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, ride on an airplane to Houston, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The mother and son, who were headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, were permitted to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves into U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon crossing the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, a migrant from Honduras, looks out an airplane window in Harlingen, Texas, as he and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, ride on an airplane to Houston, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The mother and son, who were headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, were permitted to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves into U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon crossing the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, a migrant from Honduras, looks out at a United Airlines regional jet that will transport him and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, at Valley International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. The mother and son, who were headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, were allowed to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon crossing the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, a migrant from Honduras, looks out at a United Airlines regional jet that will transport him and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, at Valley International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. The mother and son, who were headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, were allowed to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon crossing the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, left, a migrant from Honduras, explores the instruments above his seat as his mother, Celestina Ramirez, looks on during an airplane ride to Houston, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. Even though flying seems luxurious compared to her journey through Central America and Mexico and border detention, Ramirez is still anxious because it’s her first time. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, left, a migrant from Honduras, explores the instruments above his seat as his mother, Celestina Ramirez, looks on during an airplane ride to Houston, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. Even though flying seems luxurious compared to her journey through Central America and Mexico and border detention, Ramirez is still anxious because it’s her first time. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, right, a migrant from Honduras, kisses her son Yancarlos Amaya, 5, while riding on an airplane to Houston, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. The mother and son, who are headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, were granted to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves to U.S. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, right, a migrant from Honduras, kisses her son Yancarlos Amaya, 5, while riding on an airplane to Houston, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. The mother and son, who are headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, were granted to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves to U.S. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, left, a migrant from Honduras, talks with her son Yancarlos Amaya, 5, before boarding a plane at Valley International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. The mother and son, who are headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, were allowed to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon crossing the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, left, a migrant from Honduras, talks with her son Yancarlos Amaya, 5, before boarding a plane at Valley International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. The mother and son, who are headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, were allowed to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon crossing the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, a migrant from Honduras, looks for her seat on a plane with her son Yancarlos Amaya, 5, at Valley International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. The mother and son, who are headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, wereallowed to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon crossing the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, a migrant from Honduras, looks for her seat on a plane with her son Yancarlos Amaya, 5, at Valley International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. The mother and son, who are headed to Baltimore to reunite with Ramirez’s brother, wereallowed to stay in the U.S. after turning themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon crossing the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, left, a migrant from Honduras, claps in excitement as he prepares to ride a plane for the first time with his mother, Celestina Ramirez, at Valley International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. A few days ago Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, left, a migrant from Honduras, claps in excitement as he prepares to ride a plane for the first time with his mother, Celestina Ramirez, at Valley International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. A few days ago Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Rio Grande, the barrier between the U.S. and Mexico, is visible from the window of a United Airlines regional jet carrying Celestina Ramirez, a migrant from Honduras, and her son Yancarlos Amaya, 5, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. A few days ago, Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Rio Grande, the barrier between the U.S. and Mexico, is visible from the window of a United Airlines regional jet carrying Celestina Ramirez, a migrant from Honduras, and her son Yancarlos Amaya, 5, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Harlingen, Texas. A few days ago, Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, a migrant from Honduras, spins around his mother, Celestina Ramirez, during a layover at George Bush International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Houston. A few days ago, Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, a migrant from Honduras, spins around his mother, Celestina Ramirez, during a layover at George Bush International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Houston. A few days ago, Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, right, a migrant from Honduras, and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, ride a tram between terminals during a layover at George Bush International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Houston. A few days ago, Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, right, a migrant from Honduras, and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, ride a tram between terminals during a layover at George Bush International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Houston. A few days ago, Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, a migrant from Honduras, walks the jetway with her son, Yancarlos Amaya, 5, toward a plane in Houston that will take them to Baltimore at George Bush International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. A few days ago, Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, a migrant from Honduras, walks the jetway with her son, Yancarlos Amaya, 5, toward a plane in Houston that will take them to Baltimore at George Bush International Airport, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. A few days ago, Yancarlos was walking along a muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. Ramirez said they turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, left, a migrant from Honduras, and her son, Yancarlos Amaya, 5, are hugged by Ramirez’s brother Marco Ramirez after they are reunited at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The mother and son arrived in Baltimore after they were allowed to stay in the U.S. upon turning themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, left, a migrant from Honduras, and her son, Yancarlos Amaya, 5, are hugged by Ramirez’s brother Marco Ramirez after they are reunited at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The mother and son arrived in Baltimore after they were allowed to stay in the U.S. upon turning themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the border. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, left, a migrant from Honduras, is hugged by her brother Marco Ramirez after they were reunited at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The siblings had not seen each other in 14 years. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, left, a migrant from Honduras, is hugged by her brother Marco Ramirez after they were reunited at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The siblings had not seen each other in 14 years. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, bottom left, a migrant from Honduras, talks to family friend Dimas Barahona, bottom right, at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Yancarlos and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, top left, were reunited with Ramirez’s brother Marco Ramirez when they arrived in Baltimore. The siblings had not seen each other in 14 years. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, bottom left, a migrant from Honduras, talks to family friend Dimas Barahona, bottom right, at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Yancarlos and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, top left, were reunited with Ramirez’s brother Marco Ramirez when they arrived in Baltimore. The siblings had not seen each other in 14 years. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, front left, a migrant from Honduras, leaps off an escalator while holding the hand of family friend Dimas Barahona, front right, at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Yancarlos and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, were reunited with Ramirez’s brother, Marco Ramirez, when they arrived in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Yancarlos Amaya, 5, front left, a migrant from Honduras, leaps off an escalator while holding the hand of family friend Dimas Barahona, front right, at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Yancarlos and his mother, Celestina Ramirez, were reunited with Ramirez’s brother, Marco Ramirez, when they arrived in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, right, a migrant from Honduras, and her son, Yancarlos Amaya, 5, sit in the vehicle of family friend Dimas Barahona after Ramirez was reunited with her brother at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The siblings had not seen each other in 14 years. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Celestina Ramirez, right, a migrant from Honduras, and her son, Yancarlos Amaya, 5, sit in the vehicle of family friend Dimas Barahona after Ramirez was reunited with her brother at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum, Md., Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The siblings had not seen each other in 14 years. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
HARLINGEN, Texas (AP) — Wearing a Superman zip-up hoodie, the 5-year-old Honduran boy looked out the airplane window, pointing at the sky in seeming disbelief that such a large craft was reaching the clouds.
A few days ago Yancarlos Amaya was walking along the muddy river bank after crossing the Rio Grande and landing on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico. His mother, Celestina Ramirez, 28, said they turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol officers and later spent hours in custody, a night under a bridge and three more days in a detention facility.
Now they were on a flight from Harlingen, Texas, to Houston, then on to a connecting flight to Baltimore, where her brother’s family lives.
Even though flying seemed luxurious compared to her journey through Central America and Mexico and border detention, Ramirez was still anxious because it was her first time on a plane. She also hadn’t seen her brother for more than a decade.
“It’s been 14 years,” she said. She was just 14 when her brother left Honduras.
Her brother, Marco Ramirez, and other family members were waiting for them in Baltimore. As Yancarlos got onto the moving walkway at the airport, he grabbed the handrail, amazed it was also moving.
“I have never seen this before,” he said as he bent over to put his hands on the floor’s moving grooved surface.
Celestina Ramirez said she was relieved to be with family while going through U.S. asylum proceedings. Her son turns 6 in September, and many families with children just a little older than Yancarlos have been expelled under pandemic-related powers the Trump administration invoked and that President Joe Biden has largely kept in place.
“Thank God she is here. It’s a long journey, full of barriers,” said Marco Ramirez. “I am happy because now we have them here, at home.”
