PORTLAND, Ore. — This week, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal from Washington's 7th Congressional District hosted a "shadow hearing" — an unofficial congressional hearing held by the minority party — about the impact of the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Rep. Maxine Dexter was among the lawmakers present, and Portlander Mimi Lettunich was among the witnesses who testified about the experiences. Lettunich recalled what happened to her friend, Jackie Merlos, after a trip up to the U.S.-Canadian border.

Lettunich has been a caregiver to Merlos's four young children two months after that fateful visit.

Merlos, originally from Honduras, was visiting her sister, a Canadian citizen, at Peace Arch Park on June 28. Agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection detained Merlos as the sist

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