Issue 1: "Why am I here?"
Welcome to the first edition of IMM Print Weekly, a weekly newsletter that showcases the stories of detained immigrants.
We seek to shine a light on how immigrant prisons and jails impact human beings and communities, celebrate the work of those advocating for detention abolition, and provide resources on how to get involved.
In this week’s edition, we share the stories of two detained immigrants — both recently deported, a poem about everyday life in an ICE jail cell, and debunk the myth of the “good” detention center.
A Heartbreaking Farewell
This month we said goodbye to Erickson Martinez, who was deported to Colombia on Monday despite living in the United States since he was 8 years old. Erickson was detained for nearly three years and endured abuse from an officer at the Krome Service Processing and Detention Center in Miami, Florida. As Erickson detailed in another letter to IMM Print, an officer punched his nose while he was handcuffed in DHS custody. According to Erickson, he failed to receive proper medical treatment in a timely manner and was almost deported with a broken nose.
“I'm leaving all my family and the protection of this country. Freedom is the biggest treasure a man could have and these politicians and administration are twisting the real meaning of freedom.”
Read the rest of Erickson’s final letter here.
Saying good-bye to your only home
Joseth Fortino Salgado was in the wrong place at the wrong time when he picked up an aggravated felony assault charge as a young teenager. After serving his sentence, he was picked up by ICE. After being deported to Tijuana, he felt “worse than a lost dog” and re-entered the United States. His whole family is in California, where he spent the majority of his life. He was picked up by ICE yet again from the anonymous tip line and subsequently deported.
“I miss my family. They're all I have. California is my home. We all deserve a second chance to prove to ICE and everyone that we can be proper and responsible members of society without being judged based on our past.”
Joseth’s story is a reminder that not only is immigration detention cruel, but also that people with criminal charges deserve a second chance.
Read Joseth’s story here.
Sincerely, Human
Anthony Miranda has been detained at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington for over 31 months. In his poem, "Sincerely, Human” he describes the harrowing subhuman conditions he faces every day.
“I can feel my heart beat. I can hear nothing by prison sounds in the background. Cell doors closing with a ((thump)) and ((bang)), key chains, toilets flushing, inmates screaming at each other, guards barking orders, then another door closing ((thump)), ((clunk)) then my door closes ((bang))!
Footsteps fading away. Imprisoned in America for "political profit." They call us the worst of them all, murderers, rapists, thugs and "Aliens," which are not true.
I am a friend, son, brother and a father of six beautiful children with 7 grandchildren.
Why am I here?”
Read Anthony’s poem here.
Detention is closer to you than you think
In Howard County, Maryland, just near a local Starbucks and McDonalds, is the Howard County Detention Center, a small jail that contracts with ICE. Roberta and Dick Dunning, who volunteer with DC Detention Visitation Network, say that while the facility is one of the “nicer” ones, that doesn’t make the experience of ICE detention any less isolating.
“The amount of time people spend behind bars not knowing anything about when they get out, not knowing when, where, what…their life hanging, powerless.”
Read Roberta and Dick’s account and learn how to become a visitor volunteer here.
Get involved
If you are in the New Bedford, Massachusetts area, join Freedom for Immigrants and local activists tonight, Friday October 18, at the First Unitarian Church in New Bedford. We will be discussing how to expose and end the terrible conditions currently faced by ICE detainees at Bristol County.
Event page here.
If you are in the LA County area, Tony-nominee Norm Lewis will host a night of singing and storytelling on November 8 at the Sayers Club to raise money for Freedom for Immigrants.
Tickets and information available here.
If you are moved by these stories and want to do help, please consider a paid subscription to IMMPrint Weekly. We use the money for our National Bond Fund, which frees immigrants from detention and allows for them to fight their case from outside of a cell.
To share your story, reach out to Cindy Knoebel at cknoebel@freedomforimmigrants.org or Rebekah Entralgo at rentralgo@freedomforimmigrants.org.