Help Marcial Rebuild his Life and Support his Family

Marcial Morales Garcia is a father, husband, business owner, activist, and beloved community member, who was unlawfully and swiftly deported to Guatemala on March 2, 2025. This is devastating for his family and shows how ICE operates with impunity and intent to cause harm. Marcial had filed a motion to reopen his case and an emergency stay of removal which was pending days before ICE deported him.

Marcial courageously shared with the world how detention facilities were unclean, unhygienic, and denied detainees medical care, and sufficient water and food. Marcial remains steadfast in his commitment to raise awareness of the inhumane conditions in ICE detention and to and promote the rights and dignity of immigrants. Despite being diabetic and medically vulnerable, in 2020 Marcial went on hunger strike, which led to an area wide hunger strike and resistance effort. Marcial was fearless and resolute in his commitment to resist injustice.

On February 12, Marcial was re-detained during his routine immigration check-in. Marcial has never missed any of his prior supervision visits or violated any terms and conditions of his release. In fact, Marcial has not only fulfilled his legal obligations but has also worked tirelessly in the last four years to provide for his children. In 2021, he and a family member opened a local pizzeria and expanded their family business. Marcial and his family were determined to provide a better life for their children and positively contribute to their community’s well being.

His speedy deportation amounts to retaliation and ICE’s attempt to cover up the crisis of detention caused by the Trump Administration’s arbitrary detention and mass deportations. ICE employs contractors who use extrajudicial means to subdue and harm the immigrants they hold captive. In the ICE’s desperation to meet Trump Administration quotas, they deported Marcial on a Sunday to preclude the Board of Immigration Appeals from hearing his meritorious motion to reopen and stay of removal. This followed a series of serious threats ICE agents and their contractors made against Marcial.

During his detention at the Elizabeth Detention Center and Moshannon Valley Processing Center, officers denied him access to the law library and the exchange of legal documentation with family members. Neither facility was equipped to administer basic life-saving medication. At Elizabeth, family visitation was terminated and the facility did not provide sufficient amounts of food and drinkable water, cycles of clean clothes and access to laundry services, and basic toiletries and sanitation products. At both facilities, officers destroyed Marcial’s family photographs, and upon his deportation, ICE officers refused to return his Guatemalan-issued passport and identification card.

Now in rural Guatemala, Marcial needs our support. While in the US Marcial successfully ran a restaurant which he used to support his family. Having been deprived of a source of income Marcial is in desperate need of financial support for both him and his family.

Help support Marcial by donating and sharing his story.

We will provide updates as we get them.