From Executive Director Amilcar Valencia:
We at El Refugio recognize that many people feel scared, angry, devastated, and unsure about the days and months to come. The return of Donald Trump to the presidency has sparked fear among the immigrant community and in particular those in detention and deportation proceedings. Throughout the campaign, Trump and his supporters called for mass deportation. People with TPS are especially at risk, as are DACA holders.
We could see an exponential expansion of the detention system and much more.
As an organization dedicated to hospitality, visitation, and advocacy for people detained at Stewart Detention Center (SDC) and their loved ones, we are committed to uplifting their voices and being present. The immigrant community in Georgia and beyond has our unfettered support.
El Refugio will continue to offer hospitality. We will continue to advocate for and with people detained at SDC. We will continue educating the community about the inhumane detention system. We will continue working with our local and national partners to end detention.
Our commitment is unwavering. We will continue to build a more welcoming and hospitable place for those who call this country home.
As we navigate the challenging road ahead, we invite supporters to stand with us. Together, we can ensure that immigrants in our community and people in detention know that they are not alone and forgotten.
Join our Mi Casa es su Casa campaign, volunteer, donate, and advocate. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@elrefugiostewart). Sign up for our emails on our website. Email us at info@elrefugioministry.org.
Un mensaje de Amilcar Valencia:
En El Refugio reconocemos que muchas personas se sienten asustadas, enojadas, devastadas e inseguras acerca de los días y meses venideros. El regreso de Donald Trump a la presidencia ha generado temor entre la comunidad inmigrante y en particular entre quienes se encuentran en procesos de detención y deportación. A lo largo de la campaña, Trump y sus partidarios han hablado de deportaciones masivas. Las personas con TPS están especialmente en riesgo, al igual que los titulares de DACA.
As mismo, podríamos ver una expansión exponencial del sistema de detención y mucho más.
Como organización dedicada a la hospitalidad, a visitar y defender a las personas detenidas en el Centro de Detención Stewart y sus seres queridos, estamos comprometidos a alzar sus voces y estar presentes. La comunidad de inmigrantes en Georgia y fuera del estado cuenta con nuestro apoyo incondicional.
El Refugio seguirá ofreciendo hospitalidad. Continuaremos abogando por y con las personas detenidas en Stewart. Continuaremos educando a la comunidad sobre el sistema inhumano de detención. Continuaremos trabajando con nuestros compañeros locales y nacionales para poner fin a la detención.
Nuestro compromiso es firme. Continuaremos construyendo un lugar más acogedor y hospitalario para quienes llaman a este país su casa.
Mientras recorremos el difícil camino que tenemos por delante, invitamos a todos a que nos apoyen. Juntos, podemos garantizar que los inmigrantes de nuestra comunidad y las personas detenidas sepan que no están solos ni olvidados.
Hospitality &
Presence
We accompany immigrants at Stewart Detention Center and their loved ones through hospitality, visitation, support, and advocacy.
“Don’t get sick here!”
Inside SDC, a firsthand account from people who lived it
Our new report, “Invisible Cruelty,” details the conditions inside Stewart Detention Center, including medical neglect, extensive use of solitary confinement, inadequate conditions, and gross negligence. Join us as we keep the pressure on our elected officials to SHUT DOWN SDC!
“You have all been like angels to us. To be listened to without judgment and with intention, giving me the space to vent, cry, be upset, and a reason to hope, has made me feel that I am not alone in this, that my family member is not alone.” — Anna
Get Involved
We invite supporters to join us in this work by volunteering at our hospitality house in Lumpkin (Spanish not required), visiting a person detained at SDC (We have a few English speakers on our list), answering our helpline (Spanish required), participating in our advocacy events and campaigns, hosting an event to educate people about immigration detention, and sending a card or letter of support to a person at SDC.
Detention steals the dignity of immigrants. With your donation, you give a little it of that dignity back.