Free Martin Soto!
CoreCivic - Elizabeth Detention Center, ICE Newark Field Office
Martin Soto was kidnapped by ICE on February 1st, 2026 while buying diapers for his eleven month old son, leaving his pregnant wife and two young children to fend off on their own.
Martin came to the United States to raise his children, and to be a loving partner to his wife. Instead, he was deprived of his freedom and sent to Delaney Hall, where he experienced lack of medical attention, rotten food, abuse from the GEO guards, and much more.
On May 22, 2026 Gabriela Soto, Martin's wife, organized a press conference outside Delaney Hall exposing GEO for serving people live worms in their food. It was at this press conference that people detained called and denounced these conditions, demanded their freedom, and announced they were launching a hunger and labor strike.
Martin was singled out as the leader of the strike and was questioned by GEO staff and ICE agents. "If we release you right now, will you tell your wife to stop the protest outside?" "Did you know your wife was organizing a protest outside" & "Did you start the strike inside?" Martin answered, "No comment. Can I please go back to my cell?" They took that literal and locked him in his cell for hours. He was then transferred out of Delaney Hall and is currently being held at Elizabeth Detention Center (EDC).
Since his detention, Martin has missed his daughter's 4th birthday, missed his son's 1st birthday, spent his 30th birthday inside, missed his wife's birthday, missed spending Mother's Day with his wife, missed his and his wife's anniversary, and is about to miss Father's Day. He has also lost over 30 pounds.
ICE has the power to release Martin via discretionary release. He does not need to be in prison to pursue his immigration case. Martin needs to be outside, with his wife and children.
Sign this petition demanding that ICE and CoreCivic grant Martin discretionary release. Free Martin!
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To:
CoreCivic - Elizabeth Detention Center, ICE Newark Field Office
From:
[Your Name]
We ask that you grant discretionary release to Martin Soto (A#245761808), currently being held at the Elizabeth Detention Center.
Martin came to the United States for one reason: to be with his family. He came to raise his daughter, be the father his son deserves, and build a life with his wife, Gabriela.
Martin and Gabriela met when she was just 19 years old. They spent years navigating long distance while trying every legal avenue to reunite their family. When their daughter was born, Martin was still in Peru, and the immigration process would have taken years. They even considered moving back to Peru, but Martin knew the violence and instability there would put his family at risk.
Together, they made the difficult decision to seek asylum in the United States because they believed their children deserved the chance to grow up in safety. Instead of building the life they worked so hard for, Martin is now in detention.
Since his detention, Martin has missed his daughter's fourth birthday, his son's first birthday, his fiancée's birthday, Mother's Day, their anniversary, and is now about to miss Father's Day. He has also lost more than 30 pounds while detained. His family is now preparing to welcome their third child without him by their side.
We ask that you grant Martin Soto discretionary release so he can return home to his family, be present for the birth of his child, and continue pursuing his immigration case surrounded by the people who love and depend on him.