On August 15th, Sonny (Sudan) was detained by ICE on his way to work. Since that day, his life has been completely turned upside down.
He was first taken to the detention center often referred to in the news as “Alligator Alcatraz.” While it wasn’t quite what the headlines made it out to be, what followed was far worse. Sonny was transferred between two different ICE facilities in Texas, where conditions were extremely difficult. Detainees were sleeping on cold concrete floors, showers were infrequent, and medical care was almost nonexistent.
When Sonny became very sick and asked to see a nurse, he was given one cough drop—and nothing more.
After weeks of waiting with no clear answers, he was finally given an impossible choice: remain indefinitely in detention with an unknown outcome, or self-deport. Like many others facing the same situation, he chose to self-deport to protect his safety and dignity.
He and a few friends he met in custody were dropped off in southern Mexico, far from home, with no money, no ID, and no resources. Together, they made their way north to Mérida, where they are now safe and trying to rebuild their lives.
Sonny is currently working on his asylum paperwork, but the process is long and complicated. Until it is completed, he cannot legally work, and the Mexican government is very strict about employment without documentation.
This GoFundMe is to help Sonny’s friends and family support him during this period of complete uncertainty. Funds will go toward basic necessities such as food, shelter, transportation, and legal-related needs while he navigates the asylum process and works toward stability.
Sonny is kind and resilient. Yes, he made mistakes when he was younger, but many of us, myself included, have done dumb shit when we were teenagers. He didn’t deserve what happened to him, and he shouldn’t have to face this journey alone. Any amount you can give—big or small—will make a meaningful difference in helping him stay safe, healthy, and hopeful until he can stand on his own feet again.
Thank you so much for your compassion and generosity.