Pakistani Detainee at ICE Detention in NJ
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A Pakistani Shia Muslim couple, Muhammad & Noreen Farooq, were detained at the US border by ICE while they were here on vacation, when it was discovered that Noreen's visa was expired by one day. Muhammad's visa was not expired. They were both thrown into Elizabeth Detention Center.
I found out about this couple by a friend who told me that a church group in Highland Park, NJ goes weekly to the detention center, and they visit inmates who do not have any visitors. They saw that Noreen did not get visitors and since she only spoke Urdu, they were looking for a volunteer that spoke Urdu or Hindi.
I went into the detention center after requesting visitation to Noreen, and since they took all of our belongings before going into the facility, I obviously couldn't take any pictures or videos of the conditions inside. I was only taken into a visiting room, where Noreen was waiting for me. I was floored by her calm demeanor, but she said it was because she spent all of her time praying. She told me that she's been here for 2 months, and since they don't have halal meat, she eats beans for every single meal. She doesn't get to see the outside world at all, because there are no windows, and there's no outside visitation time (as there is an inside gymnasium for exercise). She doesn't even get a chance to visit the gym, because it conflicts with her prayer times.
They get to call the outside world with money that they make working, but they only allow the inmates to work for certain jobs for an hour at a time. They make $1 per hour, so that comes out to a grand total of $1 per day.
She told me her story of how she got detained, and told me that her husband is in the same facility, and they allow them to meet once in a while. She also told me that she finally had a bail hearing, and the judge set her bail at $20,000, while other more violent offenders usually got $3,000 to $5,000. The church organizer told that a bail bond company pays about 85-90% of the bail amount so we won't need to pay the whole amount.
I decided to visit her husband the next week, so I took my husband and my friend's children with me to visit him, because I thought it would bring Muhammad some joy to see some kids. I was right, and we all just loved him. He had the kindest face, and spoke in such an articulate manner in Urdu. He told us the same version of the story about his wife, but he told me that Noreen would be getting out of the detention center in a few days.
He initially told me not to worry about the bail amount, but he called me on Thursday November 14th, specifically saying that their friend who said he would help cannot do so any longer. I had mentioned to him when we met that when I appealed to my social media following about Noreen, I got quite a few messages from friends that they would love to help raise funds. He asked if people are still prepared to help him, and I told him that I would try my hardest to do whatever I can.
I urge you all to go to the Elizabeth detention center and visit them. They are quite worried about their situation and genuine people. Do not take my word for it, find out for yourself by going.
I found out about this couple by a friend who told me that a church group in Highland Park, NJ goes weekly to the detention center, and they visit inmates who do not have any visitors. They saw that Noreen did not get visitors and since she only spoke Urdu, they were looking for a volunteer that spoke Urdu or Hindi.
I went into the detention center after requesting visitation to Noreen, and since they took all of our belongings before going into the facility, I obviously couldn't take any pictures or videos of the conditions inside. I was only taken into a visiting room, where Noreen was waiting for me. I was floored by her calm demeanor, but she said it was because she spent all of her time praying. She told me that she's been here for 2 months, and since they don't have halal meat, she eats beans for every single meal. She doesn't get to see the outside world at all, because there are no windows, and there's no outside visitation time (as there is an inside gymnasium for exercise). She doesn't even get a chance to visit the gym, because it conflicts with her prayer times.
They get to call the outside world with money that they make working, but they only allow the inmates to work for certain jobs for an hour at a time. They make $1 per hour, so that comes out to a grand total of $1 per day.
She told me her story of how she got detained, and told me that her husband is in the same facility, and they allow them to meet once in a while. She also told me that she finally had a bail hearing, and the judge set her bail at $20,000, while other more violent offenders usually got $3,000 to $5,000. The church organizer told that a bail bond company pays about 85-90% of the bail amount so we won't need to pay the whole amount.
I decided to visit her husband the next week, so I took my husband and my friend's children with me to visit him, because I thought it would bring Muhammad some joy to see some kids. I was right, and we all just loved him. He had the kindest face, and spoke in such an articulate manner in Urdu. He told us the same version of the story about his wife, but he told me that Noreen would be getting out of the detention center in a few days.
He initially told me not to worry about the bail amount, but he called me on Thursday November 14th, specifically saying that their friend who said he would help cannot do so any longer. I had mentioned to him when we met that when I appealed to my social media following about Noreen, I got quite a few messages from friends that they would love to help raise funds. He asked if people are still prepared to help him, and I told him that I would try my hardest to do whatever I can.
I urge you all to go to the Elizabeth detention center and visit them. They are quite worried about their situation and genuine people. Do not take my word for it, find out for yourself by going.
Organizer
Mashal Baksh Anjum
Organizer
Somerset, NJ
