Introduction

What was supposed to be a straightforward immigration meeting quickly turned my whole life upside down. One moment, I was discussing my work visa with an officer in the immigration office, and the next, I found myself in an ICE detention center, handcuffed and stripped of my belongings.

Life Before Detention

Growing up in Whitehorse, Yukon, I always aspired to do something significant beyond my hometown's borders. After moving to Vancouver, I built diverse experiences spanning acting, the hospitality industry, and real estate management. In my 30s, I discovered my passion for health and wellness, leading me to help launch an American health tonic brand named Holy! Water — a job that required me to relocate to California.

Visa Troubles and Detention

Despite my initial visa troubles, I was granted a NAFTA work visa on my second attempt—an opportunity I had earned with no prior criminal record. I loved the U.S. and sought to contribute positively. However, my life turned upside down when a border officer questioned my visa history, claiming it was "shady" and revoking my permission to work in America due to the company's involvement with hemp, a key ingredient in my workplace's products.

Devastated, I returned to Canada but later secured a position with another wellness brand, prompting me to restart the visa application process. Upon returning to the San Diego immigration office, I was met with confusion surrounding my case. Despite the officer telling me I was not in trouble and telling me to return home, things took a drastic turn when another officer approached me and commanded I follow him.

Without warning, I was detained. That moment was surreal; I felt like a criminal although I had done nothing wrong. The officers made it clear: I was being held without a timeline or reason for how long. A week passed, filled with cold cells and fluorescent lights that never turned off. I struggled with trauma and uncertainty, only to discover later that I was facing a five-year ban.

The Reality of Detention

During the two weeks of detention, the reality of my situation became painfully evident. My compassion for others deepened as I met women from varying backgrounds, each with harrowing stories of their own. They had also been caught in the web of a bureaucratic nightmare—some detained while trying to correct immigration missteps, others swept off the streets or pulled from their workplaces.

One poignant incident involved a pastor and her husband, both detained for innocently crossing into the wrong lane near the San Diego border. I sat in that small concrete cell, encased with despair and uncertainty, but as these women shared their stories, a sense of resilience began to form amongst us. We collectively decided to hold on to gratitude for the smallest kindnesses we could share.

Human Stories Behind Walls

Among us were individuals who had contributed to American society, paying taxes for years and living peacefully with their families. Their detentions forced them into abandonment of everything they'd built. The complex emotions I confronted while witnessing their struggles taught me that many who face similar systems—having faced adversity and exploitation—continue to be categorized in ways that deny their humanity.

Encounters of Compassion

Despite the oppressive environment, the spiritual encounters formed were enlightening; an officer and a nurse offered me kindness amid chaos. Their compassion stood out in stark contrast to the harshness of our surroundings. I found support from these women, who became my rock, forging bonds in adversity.

Profit-Driven Detention System

The revelation that ICE detention facilities are profit-driven business made the situation worse. This cruel economy thrives on keeping individuals imprisoned in a fractured system where pressure for numbers overshadows the need for fairness. The reality of my escape seemed to come only after the media picked up my story, garnering the attention of advocates who fought for my release.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Finally retrieving my freedom felt surreal, but I understood my experience was just a glimpse into a broader suffering affecting thousands. As I returned home to Canada, my heart remained with those still trapped in a relentless system, echoing their cries for justice.

This isn't just a personal story; it’s the reality of countless individuals entangled in a flawed system that profites from their suffering. I urge those in power to take action to reform this broken mechanism. Surely, the strength I observed in those women and the acts of compassion we shared will lead to meaningful change, even in the most desolate scenarios.

As darkness unveils a harsh reality, humanity continues to shine through unexpected moments of kindness. It is through love, courage, and shared truths that we can help dismantle the systems of oppression that grip so many in a vise of hopelessness. Let’s strive together to create a system that embodies compassion rather than discrimination, one that values humanity above all.