Immigrant Rights and Community Activist Jeanette Vizguerra-Ramirez Released from ICE Detention

On Monday afternoon, December 22nd, Jeannette Vizguerra-Ramirez walked out of the for profit GEO Immigration Detention Center into the loving arms of her family. After nine long months inside the facility, which has suffered extensive criticism for its lack of adequate health care and substandard food lacking nutrition, both of which Ms. Vizguerra-Ramirez decried.

On Sunday, an Immigration Judge, in a written decision, ordered the release of the immigrant rights activist on bond after finding that the Department of Homeland Security failed to justify her continued detention at a hearing. Ms. Vizguerra-Ramirez’s family posted the bond with support from the esteemed Immigrant Freedom Fund ensuring her release as soon as possible.

Laura Lunn, RMIAN Director of Advocacy & Litigation, celebrated her release, saying “For decades, Jeanette has advocated for her community. When she was detained earlier this year, she needed her community to step up for her - and that is exactly what they did, showing up at vigils each week to remind her and others detained that they are not forgotten. RMIAN is honored to be a part of the team supporting Jeanette, the larger immigrant rights movement, and engaging in necessary legal battles to ensure that people can speak out without facing unlawful restrictions on their liberty and impermissible limits on their freedom of speech.” 

Read the full press release from American Friends Service Committee here.