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Introduction
YB entered ICE custody in June 2005. CAIR Coalition first met her during one of its jails visits to Hampton Roads Regional Jail in July 2005. She had been separated and placed in Medical because she was both medically and mentally ill.
Somewhat coherent when one of our volunteers met with her that first time in July 2005, she told the story of her arrest by ICE.
Circumstances Leading to Detention/Immigration Proceedings
She had gone to the Russian embassy to acquire a passport. She had informed the embassy officials that Russia was her home, that she had recently been diagnosed with colon cancer and that she wanted to die at home. The Russian embassy officials quickly determined that she was not a Russian citizen and refused to issue her a passport. Because she insisted that she was not a US citizen, the Russian embassy officials contacted US immigration officials to retrieve her, presumably, in hopes that the US government could determine her proper country of origin and return her home.
ICE officials placed YB in detention at Hampton Roads and initiated removal proceedings against her. Because CAIR Coalition never obtained access to YB’s court records, we do not know exactly when ICE issued her charging documents or what the charging documents read. We do know however, that there was a delay in getting her first hearing because of an incorrect file number. Eventually however, she did appear in front of the Immigration Judge and was ordered removed to Russia on December 15, 2005. But because YB was not a Russian citizen and the Russian embassy knew this, it would not issue YB the travel documents necessary for her removal to Russia. Consequently, YB remained in detention.
Experience of being a Detainee
YB’s mental illness grew more severe while in detention. At times she would simply remain curled up in a ball and refuse to speak to anyone. She also had other medical concerns ranging from Crohn’s disease to colon cancer, for which she was receiving only DHS approved medicines.
By January 2006, CAIR Coalition was able to find a Russian speaker to join one of its groups of volunteers on its monthly visit to Hampton Roads Regional Jail. The Russian speaker quickly determined that YB was not actually fluent in Russian. Upon being discovered, YB changed her story and claimed to be German. This also quickly proved to be false.
YB’s claims became more delusional. At times she would be completely incoherent or simply refuse to speak. Every once in a while however, a few bits of information would come out which CAIR Coalition staff could take back to the office and research further. Eventually, a staff member tracked down some information on a family member in a small Midwest town. Apparently, YB had become estranged from her family shortly after she had manifested signs of paranoid schizophrenia. After obtaining a signed release from YB, CAIR Coalition was able to talk with a psychiatrist who had treated her years ago and could confirm YB’s citizenship. YB was born and raised in the Midwest.
Conclusion
Once CAIR Coalition was able to provide ICE with the necessary evidence of YB’s citizenship, ICE with the speed and efficiency rarely observed before, released YB from detention. After wrongly detaining her for over 9 months – during which time her physical health and mental illness deteriorated severely – ICE released her in Fairfax, Virginia with simply her suitcase of clothes and a check for $0.42. Despite knowing the severity of her mental illness – she had been placed in the medical ward and received treatment throughout her stay – ICE made absolutely no efforts to place her in an appropriate facility or to ensure her safety upon release.
Following her release, CAIR was able to assist her in finding a safe place where she can receive the medical and mental health care that she so desperately needs.
