Christmas Brings Heartache for Exiled Nicaraguans Amid Strict Immigration Laws

In Nicaragua, over 900,000 people have left the country since 2018 due to political persecution and economic crises. With a population of just over six million, nearly every family is affected by the absence of a loved one, especially during the holiday season. Recent changes to the Immigration and Foreigners Law have intensified these separations. Families had planned holiday trips to reunite with exiled relatives in neighboring countries, but the law now imposes severe penalties for attempting to leave Nicaragua. One family, planning to visit a relative in Costa Rica, abandoned their trip after the Ortega-Murillo regime's immigration reforms raised the risks of imprisonment and fines for activists. This year, many families are also mourning the inability to reunite due to tightened border controls and significant surveillance at crossing points like Peñas Blancas. Testimonies highlight that for many Nicaraguans in exile, Christmas gatherings are overshadowed by the emotional distress of separation from family members who can face arbitrary detention or bans from re-entering the country. Opposition groups report that the current political climate has exacerbated the trauma of family separation, with the campaign “Every life tells us a story” aimed at increasing visibility about this issue. The situation is particularly painful for young Nicaraguans who, like María Laura Alvarado in Costa Rica, reflect on lost traditions and disrupted family gatherings due to an oppressive regime. Former political prisoners echo these sentiments of loss and insist on the need for a future built on hope and unity for all Nicaraguans. Meanwhile, the Ortega-Murillo administration continues to downplay the crisis, presenting a contrasting narrative about stability and family unity during the festive season.

As Christmas approaches, the emotional toll of political exile becomes painfully evident for many Nicaraguan families. More than 900,000 Nicaraguans have fled the country since 2018 due to political persecution and economic hardship, leaving countless families divided. The government of President Daniel Ortega recently implemented stringent changes to the Immigration and Foreigners Law, effectively sealing off the country for those wishing to reconnect with loved ones abroad. Families, such as that of an opponent known as Marcos, planned to reunite in Costa Rica for the holidays. However, after learning about the new regulations—which impose severe penalties for attempting to leave Nicaragua—those plans were dashed. "The grief really affects us emotionally," said a family member, lamenting the nearly two and a half years they have been apart. The widespread impact of this migration crisis is reflected in individual stories, including that of a nun who was denied entry back to Nicaragua during a layover in Mexico, labeled as a traitor by authorities. Opposition group Concertación Democrática Nicaragüense (CDN) highlighted that almost every family is touched by this exodus, as they launched the campaign “Every life tells us a story” to share experiences of separation and loss during this festive season. Meanwhile, Ortega's administration continues to dismiss claims of repression, with co-president Rosario Murillo portraying a narrative of national unity and peace. However, exiled Nicaraguans assert that the regime's actions foster a climate of fear and division, leaving many to endure another holiday apart from loved ones. In a country of over six million, the emotional scars of separation resonate deeply, hindering the joy typically associated with family gatherings during Christmas.

This Christmas, many Nicaraguan families find themselves grappling with separation and loss due to recent immigration reforms enacted by the government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. Since 2018, over 900,000 Nicaraguans have fled the country, seeking refuge from political persecution and economic crisis. As the festive season approaches, the emotional pain of family separation is heightened, with almost every family affected by the ongoing exodus. The recent amendments to the Immigration and Foreigners Law, which include severe penalties for individuals attempting to leave or enter Nicaragua without state approval, have intensified the situation. Families like that of an anonymous individual referred to as Marcos faced the heartbreak of abandoning plans to visit relatives living in exile due to fears of imprisonment or increased surveillance at borders. The impact of these policies reaches beyond immediate family members. The organization Concertación Democrática Nicaragüense Monteverde (CDN) highlights that Christmas traditions have been disrupted, with gatherings and reunions thwarted by government repression. Thousands of families are unable to spend the holidays together, as evidenced by the story of nun Azucena Bracamonte Valle, who was denied re-entry into Nicaragua after a trip abroad. Opposition leaders are raising awareness of this ongoing crisis through campaigns that document the stories of those affected by political exile and family separation. As the Ortega-Murillo regime continues to suppress dissent, many Nicaraguans are left hoping for a future marked by peace and reunion.