Foreword

Foreword

Stories have power.

They have the power to make us see the world through another’s eyes, to feel their struggles, to understand their pain. But most importantly, stories have the power to create change.

The Raid is not just a story about one girl. It is a reflection of the experiences of thousands of children—children who wake up one morning to find their families torn apart by policies beyond their control. Children who are left asking questions that have no easy answers.

Right now, in the United States, immigration enforcement continues to separate families. Across the country, people who have lived, worked, and contributed to their communities for years are being detained and deported. Parents are taken while dropping their children off at school. Workers are arrested at job sites. Families live in fear, wondering if today will be the day their world is turned upside down.

Becky Hernandez’s story is fictional. But the reality she faces is not.

This book was written to give a voice to those who have been silenced, to shine a light on a struggle that is too often ignored. It is a story of fear, of loss, but also of resilience. It is about a young girl who refuses to let the world decide her fate. A girl who finds strength in her words, in her actions, in her belief that justice is worth fighting for.

As you read Becky’s journey—from uncertainty to courage, from heartbreak to hope—I ask you to think about the real children going through this every day.

What would you do if this were your family?
What would you fight for?
What kind of world do we want to build for the children who come next?

I hope this story inspires you. I hope it moves you.

But more than anything, I hope it reminds you that voices—no matter how young—can change the world.

Edward D Iannielli III, CPA