A Year in the Life of a Migrant Child Separated From His Guatemalan Parents After Deportation Order

(BUDA, Texas) — There were water balloons at Byron Xol's birthday party — bunches of them, filled a dozen at a time. He squeezed them with both hands, until the water burst on his face and chest. "Super good!" the 9-year-old yelled, again and again.

It's a new catchphrase, but then, Byron spoke no English at all 15 months ago. (His first language is Q'eqchi, one of several dialects that trace back to Mayan times.

(BUDA, Texas) — There were water balloons at Byron Xol's birthday party — bunches of them, filled a dozen at a time. He squeezed them with both hands, until the water burst on his face and chest. "Super good!" the 9-year-old yelled, again and again. It's a new catchphrase, but then, Byron spoke no English at all 15 months ago. (His first language is Q'eqchi, one of several dialects that trace back to Mayan times.