PAUL WHITE'S RE-ENTRY FUND

Update November 2, 2023

Hello, everyone. This is an important update to let you know that Paul has been deported to his country of origin.

Paul was originally scheduled to be deported at the end of September. This did not happen due to an ICE officer refusing to allow Paul to board the flight because Paul was wearing civilian clothes (as was his right) instead of a prison uniform. ICE punished Paul by sending him back to ICE detention in Colorado for another month.

We are enormously grateful to each person who has contributed to Paul’s safety fund thus far. The fund will allow Paul to secure housing, pay for basic necessities, communication, and travel.

If you have already given and can give more, we encourage you to do so! If you cannot donate, we encourage you to share this fund widely with friends, family, fellow organizers, workmates, and anyone else who shares your values.

Thank you again for your care, generosity, and solidarity!

BACKGROUND:

Paul White is a Black bisexual immigrant and loving father who has lived in the United States for over 20 years. He has been detained by ICE for over three years, first at the Caroline Detention Facility (CDF) in Bowling Green, Virginia; then at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena, Louisiana; then at the Aurora Detention Center in Aurora, Colorado; and then at the Krome North Processing Center in Miami, Florida. He has faced countless abuses during his time in ICE detention. He is now imminently facing deportation to his home country, where he faces torture and death due to his sexual orientation.

 

If Paul is deported, he will be forcibly returned to a country where he has received death threats because of his sexual orientation. These are not idle threats. His home country is widely known as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for the LBGTQ+ community. As a child, Paul witnessed attacks and murders of men rumored to be gay, and was later forced to flee the country after members of his community found out about his sexual orientation.

 

Paul needs our help to ensure his safety after deportation. There is no guarantee of safety for LGBTQ+ people in Paul's home country, but it is safer for those with stable housing and resources. We need to act now so that Paul can have a safe place to land the day he is deported.

 

To support Paul's family after deportation, the Queer Detainee Empowerment Project, Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project, Freedom to Thrive, American Friends Service Committee, Families for Freedom, Showing Up for Racial Justice NYC (SURJ-NYC), Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) and La ColectiVA invite you to donate to this emergency crowdfunding campaign. All proceeds will go directly towards measures for Paul's safety after deportation.