Alma Bowman Sorrells is a 55 year old Filipina who was detained by Immigration Enforcement Customs (ICE) for three years. During her incarceration, she experienced medical negligence at Irwin County Detention Center that gained international attention. She currently has an active deportation order despite the fact that she held legal residency status prior to ICE detainment.

ICE formed in 2002 under the Department of Homeland Security which was created under the Bush administration in response to 9/11. Over the course of three years, approximately 500,000 have been detained nationally and 200 people have died in ICE custody. In light of COVID-19, growing concerns from those directly detained by ICE and immigration advocacy groups have increased in numbers and visibility . Alma was an unnamed whistleblower in a class action lawsuit against Dr. Amin, who performed forced gynecological procedures on women at Irwin County Detention Center. Consequently, ICE transported her around several facilities across the country but was unable to deport her to the Philippines. She was released in December 2020 to her two sons.

Although Alma is not in ICE detention, the prison walls have not vanished. Without status, Alma is unable to participate in society in ways that are imperative for a person’s survival. She cannot apply for health insurance, she cannot have a driver's license, and she cannot work without paying an annual fee for a workers permit. Additionally, Alma experiences several medical conditions that require consistent refills. Detention does not end once a person leaves an ICE facility.

We urge ICE, USCIS and DHS to act on the following:
1) Expungement of ICE detention record to regain green card status
2) Reparation for medical negligence sustained
3) Investigation and prosecution of Dr. Amin
4) Close down ICE detention centers
5) Stop the repressive attacks on migrants