We have two sons. Sebastian is 3, Francisco just 5 months old. I cannot imagine the emotional trauma my boys would experience if they were to be separated from Vanessa and me. But that’s what’s happening at our border—forced family separations, denial of due process, imprisonment of kids and parents. To be silent while this takes place in our country is to be an accomplice.

I am devastated by the news that keeps coming out. I’m heartbroken that this is being done by our government intentionally and in our name. This is a horrific strategy to terrorize families and criminalize immigrants, instigated by the same people who have ended protected status for people from countries wrecked by natural and political disasters. They have moved to ban Muslims from entering our country. They have said that domestic abuse isn’t a reason to grant asylum.

But even as we experience this heartache, I am also blown away by how we have come together at this moment. We are showing up to support these families by the thousands.

People of good conscience from across the country and across the political spectrum agree on this: Families belong together. We’ve got to make this clear to our government: Reunite families. Close family prison camps. And hold the abusers accountable.

Siempre,

—Lin-Manuel Miranda