Canadians in ICE detention centres left in legal limbo as families try to secure release
Relatives of Canadians detained by ICE in the United States are expressing outrage and frustration over the treatment of their loved ones and the hurdles they are facing to obtain even basic information. Global Affairs Canada has confirmed that approximately 55 Canadians are currently in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, though these numbers are subject to change.
One of the detainees, Cynthia Olivera, who was born in Mississauga, Ontario, and resides in Los Angeles, was taken into custody last month during an immigration interview for her U.S. citizenship application. Similarly, Paula Callejas from Montreal was arrested for a misdemeanor while finalizing a work visa and was subsequently transferred to an ICE facility.
The families of Olivera and Callejas have described the weeks following their arrests as a nightmare, marked by countless calls to lawyers and navigating through ICE bureaucracy. Callejas’ family expressed deep concerns for her safety and well-being, as she has been in ICE custody for over three months following her misdemeanor charge in Florida.
Olivera’s husband, Frank Olvera, recounted the shock and distress of his wife’s sudden arrest during what was supposed to be a routine immigration appointment. He revealed that she was apprehended due to a decades-old border issue from when she was denied re-entry to the U.S. in 1999 after traveling to Canada for her mother’s funeral.
The current administration’s aggressive stance on immigration has only exacerbated the situation, with President Donald Trump aiming to escalate deportation operations and enforcing stricter immigration policies. The families of the detained Canadians are grappling with uncertainty and anxiety over their loved ones’ whereabouts and well-being, as ICE has provided limited information on their conditions.
Despite their willingness to cover legal fees and facilitate the deportation process, the families are dismayed by the lack of urgency on ICE’s part to resolve the cases and reunite the detainees with their families in Canada. Concerns have also been raised about the substandard living conditions in the detention facilities, with reports of overcrowding and inadequate food.
As the detainees continue to be transferred between facilities, their families remain in limbo, hoping for a swift resolution to the ordeal. The emotional toll of the situation has left them disillusioned and disheartened, with some questioning their faith in the American justice system.
The plight of these Canadians detained by ICE serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by immigrants in the U.S. and underscores the need for comprehensive immigration reform. It is imperative that their rights and well-being are upheld, and that they are treated with dignity and respect throughout this challenging ordeal.
