Familias Reunidas Bond Program: Meet Asim

We are excited to excited share with you another story and most recent recipient of our bond program, Asim. Asim is an asylum-seeker from the country of Sudan and came to the US in hopes of a better life like so many others. While in the Otay Mesa Detention Center, his pod was isolated due to someone becoming ill, thankfully he was one of the lucky ones not contracting COVID-19.
Inside the detention center, Asim, being one of the few English speakers, selflessly helped many other asylum-seekers contact organizations on the outside to ensure their release. Two of our bond recipients from Cameroon, in fact, were referred to us through his kind work. Despite the horrible and terrifying conditions he was exposed to, Asim always remained positive and patient. It’s people like him that keep us going, and inspire us to continue our work through his bravery. Asim is finally on his way to start his new life and be reunited with his family. Although it pains us our folks are being treated so unjustly, these stories reminds us of the strength and resilience of our migrant folks. They deserve dignity and respect, and not a country that subjects black and brown folks to such conditions during a global pandemic.
Let this story serve as a reminder of all the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and community members waiting in such conditions in detention, simply for seeking a place or a part in this country. Asim represents so many others being subject to racist and inhumane policies, and we must not forget the urgency of getting everyone we can out of the Otay Mesa Detention Center. This pandemic continues to be unforgiving, and we will not allow any more lives lost. Again, we thank you for your support and ask you to continue to help us make sure our folks are #FreeAndAlive.