<div><strong>January 5th, 2026 UPDATE:</strong>
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<div>Due to the worsening living conditions in the Northwest Detention Center, Kuya R wants to return to the Philippines and restart his life. His physical and mental health have been deteriorating due to the medical neglect and poor living conditions. He has lost 10lbs due to not having enough food, has experienced self-harm, a persistent cough and body aches, but has not received comprehensive medical attention. He has yet to receive a response regarding his Assistance to Nationals application from the Philippine Consulate, despite his sister having a direct line with Bernice Santayana, the ATN Officer at the SF Philippine Consulate, and the submission of 3 ATN applications. He had been denied ATN for repatriation and is relying on community support for his commissary and calls to Tangol Migrante. Please consider donating and sharing to ensure he can have resources for food and a line to community members during his time in detention.
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<div><strong>July 2025 Background:</strong>
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<div>Kuya R is a green card holder who has lived in the US since the 80's. He immigrated to Long Beach when he was just a teenager. Because of the lack of genuine resources and opportunities for young migrants, he was incarcerated as a teenager and separated from his family ever since. While incarcerated, he had little opportunities to see his family, complete his education, and build a life outside of jail.
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<div>Throughout this time, many medical conditions have affected his ability to maintain good health and tend to his medical needs. In ICE detention, his health has worsened as he faces rampant medical neglect and had been rushed to the hospital twice while his medical reports remain withheld from him and his sister. Permitted to ask for treatment for only one medical issue a day at the detention center, he has appealed to the Philippine Consulate for help, but has yet to receive adequate medical attention.
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<div>Additionally, for over a month, the he has been denied his right to legal assistance by the Northwest Detention Center and confidential consultations with an attorney provided through the local networks of Tanggol Migrante.
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<div>His sister, Ate M, was excited to reunite with her brother to start fresh upon his release from incarceration, has been repeatedly traumatized by the violent kidnapping and separation from Kuya R. With no other family around, she has been carrying the weight of the situation of having a loved one in detention and navigating how to support them. The situation has taken a toll on her own well-being and health. She's been relying on community support from Tanggol Migrante to fight alongside her.
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<div>The family has not yet received sufficient legal support and counsel nor financial assistance to secure a lawyer from the Philippine Consulate. He has also not received the medical attention he needs in detention.
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<div>We are calling on our community to support Kuya R and Ate M to raise funds for his legal services so we can find him a lawyer before his court hearing on August 20.
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Valarie Aasness

lawrence maminta

Oscar Calderon

Anonymous

Jazmynne Peralta

Noelle Smith

Evelyn Castillo

Alexis Scott

alizé vidrio

Sodah Minty

FilipinoArtists Kollective

Rosemae Kaiklian

Support for Kuya R!

Support for Kuya R!

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