Help Free Edwin Sanchez from ICE Detention

I am raising funds for my 23 year old, Colombian national and asylum seeker friend, Edwin Sanchez, who was detained while doing his routine I.C.E. check-in. Fleeing from violence in Colombia, Edwin was a member of the Lehigh Valley community since 2022.

Coming from the capital city, Bogota, in Colombia, Edwins life has been dictated by constant violence and threats to his life since a very young age. In fleeing his country of origin, he had to leave what little family he had, and take on new endevaors and environments in a country completely unknown to him, with very little support. He was often scared and lacked guidance.

While here, Edwin worked various jobs, and was most recently at an overnight warehouse, packaging items. Through his hard work, he was able to live without fear of constant threats to his life. He also played soccer at local clubs, which was his greatest hobby. He loved watching soccer games and could always be found watching one on his time off. Above all though, Edwin loved spending time with his loved ones, and talking to them on the phone.

On June 2nd, after starting his day late from his night shift before, Edwin went to 114 N 8th ST, Philadelphia, PA, for his routine check in. Here they took him up to a different floor and he was met with handcuffs and aggressivity. He later called me and family to tell us he felt defeated and that I.C.E. took him. That day we were all struck with fear, tears and uncertainty, but all we could think about was what he was feeling. He was moved to the Philadelphia Federal Detention Center, where after 3 long days, he reached out to me. He called me and told me that he was scared, missed home, and didn't know what to do. He said the first day he just slept. He couldn't fathom that it was his reality and that everything he had been through in this country had been in vain, as he felt completely defeated. He described his cell in PFDC to be very cold and the bed to be very hard, he said it was some of the worst sleep of his life. He said the food was also one of the worst things, describing his breakfast as: milk, a muffin and a small apple. He said he was hungry and the wait for meals was unbearable. He told us that above all the other terrible factors, what was worse was being stuck inside his cell all day. He told me that his guard seems to not want the detainees to go outside, and so they just sit in their cell all day. He says he feels desperation and has to sit with nothing but his thoughts. He also described situations of violence and hierarchy in the detention center, which of course, he was scared of. I can only think of how my lively and beloved friend, Edwin, can feel being stuck in a small, cold, cement room all day, after being torn from the life he worked so hard to build. Edwin is now at Moshannon Detention Center, 3 hours away from where he lived.

I am asking for your kind and generous donation to help us afford Edwins lawyer and possible bond. He has an NTA and is awaiting various hearings. This would be able to ultimately get Edwin free and back home. However, this will likely cost a lot of money Edwin nor I have, and so I am asking for help from anyone willing to share. Thank you for taking the time to learn about my beloved friend and consider donation.