Justice for Migrants

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that all people must be accorded the right to freedom from arbitrary detention. The U.S. Constitution guarantees all people, documented and undocumented, the right to due process under the law. Yet neither of those protections are afforded to many migrants who arrive in the U.S., fleeing for their lives and seeking political asylum, only to be arrested and held for months and even years in detention centers that are basically prisons. The detention centers are often geographically remote, making it difficult if not impossible for detained people to secure legal assistance. The situation has been exacerbated in recent years due to the increasingly draconian and punitive policies advanced by the Trump administration. While immigration detention is officially considered an administrative rather than a punitive procedure, in fact, many people are detained without the possibility of release on bond. Despite lawsuits contesting this no-bond policy, in 2018, the Supreme Court decided in Jennings v. Rodriguez that the federal government is not required to give detained non-citizens a bond hearing after six months of detention. Without such hearings, non-citizens in deportation proceedings face a slim to nonexistent chance of release before the resolution of their cases.


For these reasons, Justice for Migrant Families/Cornell is raising money for the commissary accounts of people in prolonged detention at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia, NY. With these funds, they can make phone calls to lawyers and loved ones, engage in video chats with family and friends, and buy basic necessities such as food, batteries, socks, drawing paper, and toiletries. None of these items can be mailed to people in detention; they are only allowed to receive letters and books. This Campaign is supporting real people who are detained or have been deported. 
If you are unable to donate, but want to be involved in this project, email [email redacted] for our meeting times.
 
Here are the real stories of people detained in ICE facilities.

Elisabeth
"I am sad because I have had to spend another birthday here, imprisoned, without being able to share the day with my family and friends. I never imagined that my time in this country would be so awful. I never thought that here I would be treated like a criminal. 
I have a big lump in my throat, friend,  and I don't know how to get over this feeling. Today, I feel like my life no longer has meaning. 
I have spent almost two years imprisoned, having to put up with officials who treat who treat us badly because we don't speak English, because we are immigrants.  They are racist and I can't take it any longer, in the bathroom, when we eat, at the tables. 
I feel like I can't take it any longer. Sometimes I think it would have been better to have been killed than to be in this place, where they are killing me slowly.  This is a death within life." -Elisabeth

For more information about Elisabeth's experiences in detention see:
The Elisabeth Letters on Facebook
@the_elisabeth_letters on Instagram
and
@Elisabethlettrs on Twitter

Pedro
After having lived in the U.S. for over 10 years, Pedro was caught by ICE and placed into detention for over two years. Yet, even as he endured unimaginable pain and dehumanization within the facility, Pedro worked hard to maintain our long-distance friendship; he frequently called us, made beautifully illustrated letters, and sent us messages of hope and optimism on the daily. His ability to approach every complex legal battle with unwavering determination––despite having no lawyer, no access to translation services, and restricted access to stamps and envelopes––encapsulates Pedro’s resilience. Ultimately, we are beyond grateful that we had the chance to cultivate a lasting friendship with such a kind, hardworking, and thoughtful individual. He has truly inspired us both to be better students, advocates, and people. 


Unfortunately, after battling against the U.S. immigration legal system to be granted asylum, Pedro was recently ordered to be deported to his country of origin, Angola. He came to the United States seeking to escape political persecution and begin a new life for himself. While for a while, he was able to feel a sense of security in the U.S., even starting his own jewelry-making business, he is now being forced to return to a country in which he has not lived for over 15 years. He has very minimal family and friends in Angola who can provide him with support. 


Please help us continue to advocate for Pedro by offering him financial support as he settles into a new life in a now-unfamiliar country. A donation of any amount will allow Pedro to acquire basic necessities––shelter, food, and clothing––and will serve as a reminder of our ongoing support for him as he continues to fight for his safety and security.