Delaney Hall Humanitarian Effort

Please read no matter your political views. I have been looking for my “calling” for a big part of my life. I have been teaching for 25 years but still felt there was something missing, some other way I could make a difference in the world.

My name is Catherine Roy and I just recently became aware of the difficulties of the immigration process first hand. The man I have been with for now three years was taken by ICE in July. The conditions not only for those detained but for the families of those in detention centers is inhumane. My brother was frequently in jail for committing crimes and he was treated better than those are treated who came to this country seeking a better life. Please keep in that many of the detainees are not criminals and often have proper documentation to be here. Now that the laws have changed many are now taken from their homes, jobs, going to church etc. In the case of my partner, he was taken when reporting to ICE for another meeting on his journey to be able to stay in America.

Detainees are housed 10 per room with food, most times, akin to the gruel in served in Annie. Food is available to buy through the commissary, but prices are typically double what you would pay anywhere else. Personal care items are sometimes given when first arriving at a center but have to be bought after that. Treatment by those supervising the detainees is typically what one would hope it to be.

I can not speak for other detention centers but for those visiting Delaney Hall in Newark the conditions leave much to be desired. No system is in place for visitation so one must get there hours before visitation time to be guaranteed a visit. There is no seating provided and the “waiting area” is part of the employee parking lot. The center is located next to fat rendering and garbage processing plants so the air quality is horrendous to say the least.

There are many things that cannot be changed about the situation but, if you would be willing to donate funds, I have created a wish list on Amazon and I could pool the money to get items for those families waiting to visit their loved ones (chairs, water, heat packs for when it gets cold etc.). I could also give funds to families to be able to contact their loved ones in detention (as one must put money in their loved ones account to be able to call and an account for themselves to be able to receive calls) and to add money to commissary accounts (for toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant etc.).

Thank you, in advance, for any donation. You are not only fueling my dream of making a difference but you are making a difference in the lives of those going through this trying time.