Familias Reunidas Bond Program Update: Meet Jack

Today, we share with you the story of the most recent recipient of our bond program, Jack. Five months after being detained, this 25 year old migrant is finally out of the horrific conditions of detention. Jack fled his home country of Haiti in hopes of a better life and opportunity only to end up at the nightmare that is the Otay Mesa Detention Center.
Inside the detention center, the very place where Carlos Ernesto Escobar Mejia unjustly lost his life, Jack contracted COVID-19. He became very ill and faced a very severe case of coronavirus, and yet all that was done for him was to be put in isolation, and given crackers by an officer. Thankfully our recipient has made a recovery and is able to self quarantine now. Although heart wrenching, this story reminds us of the strength and resilience of our migrant folks, and deserves to be shared to shed light on how brown and black people are being treated so unjustly during a 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. Jack 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.