Issue 6: "In this place we are treated in a way no human being should be treated."
Welcome to this week’s edition of IMM Print Weekly, a newsletter that showcases the stories of detained immigrants and their allies.
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 issue: A son detained while visiting his mother on Mother’s Day; a recovering cancer survivor at risk of deportation; and why “waiting in line” is not an option for many immigrants.
Throughout the month of November, Freedom for Immigrants is participating in a Giving Tuesday campaign. We have an ambitious goal to raise $50,000 to bond up to 30 people out of detention. If any of the stories we’ve published in IMM Print have moved you, please consider donating here.
A Son Attempts to Visit His Mother at the Border - and is Arrested and Detained
Jose Cesar Salinas made Mother’s Day plans last year to visit his mother through the border fence at Imperial Beach, a popular park for immigrants to see their families. While visiting the park, however, Border Patrol questioned Jose’s status and was subsequently detained at Otay Mesa Detention Center.
“I've been in detention for 13 months fighting to stay in this wonderful country. I have been dealing with psychological torture from some officers here. It's like they wish we will desist in fighting our case and leave, but they don't care or understand that going back to our countries would mean would mean getting killed by criminals for some of us. I know if I was returned to my country I will die in a matter of days, maybe two weeks, [without] dialysis. It seems that nothing I say or do is good enough for the judges. All they know is deportation, and that's it.”
Read Jose’s letter to us here.
In Fragile Health, an Immigrant Mother Remains in Limbo - and a Victim of the Intentional Cruelty of Immigration Detention
On November 12, Tania Romero was rousted from her bed in Georgia by ICE agents who said she will be deported. Ever since, her son Cristian - a DACA recipient and a PhD student at Yale - has been fighting for her freedom. Tania fled violence in her home country of Honduras and is currently recovering from stage IV cancer. As of November 22, Cristian’s petition demanding his mother’s release has reached over 38,000.
“It’s hard to think about, honestly, just because my focus – logistically and mentally – is so much on my mom. My mom is the priority, so everything (else) is taking a backseat.” He paused. “Although it’s always there, right?”
Read Tania’s story here.
Why Don’t They Just Get in Line?
Originally produced by the American Immigration Council, IMM Print has reprinted their handy factsheet on the many barriers facing immigrants with their permission.
There is no line available for current unauthorized immigrants and the “regular channels” are largely not available to prospective immigrants who end up entering the country through unauthorized channels. Even though most unauthorized immigrants have lived in the United States for nearly 15 years, many could live out the rest of their lives without any opportunity to become legal residents of their adopted home.
Read the rest of their factsheet here.
Get involved
Freedom for Immigrants is elated to join the #GivingTuesday campaign this season. We have an ambitious goal to raise $50,000 for our National Bond Fund to bond out up to 30 people who are currently locked in immigration detention and connect them to the support they deserve on the outside. Make a tax-deductible donation here.
Our Freedom for Immigrants shirts are back, just in time for the holiday season! Wear your values and order one today. All proceeds go towards our National Bond Fund.
To share your story, reach out to Cindy Knoebel at cknoebel@freedomforimmigrants.org or Rebekah Entralgo at rentralgo@freedomforimmigrants.org.