Letter: ICE should not leave those it releases stranded, far from home
(Courtesy of Clarissa Fuentes Diaz)
I was shocked to read that the family of Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal paid thousands to bring him home from immigration detention in Louisiana. As The Banner article mentioned (After weeks in ICE custody, Maryland pastor embraced by family in emotional homecoming, Aug. 16, 2025), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement takes no responsibility for the transportation costs of released detainees. This is not right.
If you are convicted of a federal crime and then released from prison, the Federal Bureau of Prisons is required to provide transportation back to your home city or place of conviction. You’ll also likely get some money to pay for food en route. But what does an ICE detainee (often not charged with or convicted of any crime) get?
Maybe a ride to the nearest bus station but no money to buy a ticket or cover basic expenses. Even though ICE drags detainees far from home — much farther than the convicts held by BOP are typically sent.
