My name is Amira and me and my little brother Jamal were born in this Syrian refugee camp. Mama and Papa came here many years ago before we were born. Papa left first to go to America and get everything ready for the rest of our family to come there. Me and Mama and Jamal are waiting to be confirmed so we can go too.

This is our tent. We share it with another family. We're very lucky, some families have to share their tents with two to three families but we only have to share ours with one. The family we share with is very nice they have kids my age named Farid who is six and Karam who is eight just like me. It's nice to have some playmates in your tent with you.

One day we are taken into a different tent, one I have never been in before. There is a doctor in this tent and a bunch of medical supplies. The doctor tests my hearing and eye sight, and tests me for different diseases I have never heard of. She does the same to mother and Jamal. At the end of the test she tells my mother we will get the results in a couple days and mother thanks her.

In the next two days we are told that our refugee status has been confirmed and that we can go to America to live with father! Mother talks to the people and they help us get tickets for a boat that will take us Mexico where we will cross the border and finally be in America! Jamal and I are so excited and for most of the trip watch the ocean and waves go by.

When we finally get to Mexico we see lots of other families trying to cross the border. They all look worn out and tired and underfed. When we begin to reach the border my mom stumbles through her English trying to explain to the border Gaurd our status, he doesn't believe her. He motions to the other guards and within seconds I feel strong arms wrap around me. I struggle but I can't move! I scream out for mother and Jamal but they have also been grabbed by the guards.

Everything happens so quickly, I am told that we were detained because our refugee status wasn't official or they thought it was fake. They separate Mother and us. Jamal and I are put in what feels like a cage with other children. We can see mother but she is still out of reach. She crys out for us and then at the guards, "I will not be questioned with out a lawyer, give me a lawyer." The guards seem to listen to her, they say, "Ma'am calm down, it is just going to be a little while we are getting you a lawyer." I don't know if they are telling the truth, I hope they are. Jamal and just sit there waiting, we are not sure what we are waiting for though. Jamal hugs me and starts to cry. After a while we fall asleep.