"SOMETHING MUST GET DONE AND I WILL CONTINUE TO SPEAK UP FOR THE AFRAID VOICES"
To whom this may concern,
I hope that this letter finds you in good strength and faith. I am writing this letter to you to the best of my ability, to make you aware of all the terrible and harsh experiences that I have encountered while being in Immigration Customs Enforcement custody. My name is Samantha Veronica Lindsay, I was born in Kingston Jamaica; all I have ever experienced in Jamaica was death and traumas which lead me to leave the tragedies behind and move to America for a better life, and most importantly education. I was enrolled at Indian River State College and majored in Early Childhood education, human and social Biology, medical assistance. While pursuing my career, I became a single mother while enforcing my parenthood responsibilities. While being a single mother, working part time and continuing my education; I was convicted a crime.
Apart from my criminal conviction I have serious medical conditions which have been diagnosed by medical staff. I was diagnosed with, heart disease, chronic high blood pressure, anemia, and gastro condition. I am a 40-year-old lady who has been through so many trials in life. I am already suffering with many medical conditions and being a detainee is even making matters worse. Due to the disrespect, mistreatment, abuse by the staffs, being forced to use the bathroom in front of the control room is even making my illnesses even more detrimental. Notifying ICE is never rectifying the problem because nothing gets done, just many more retaliations and disrespect. I was disrespected by a deputy while on my attorney phone call and nothing got done even after I reported the matter. Instead of disciplining the deputy they restricted my phone number from making phone calls to icy family.
Other females and I must be sitting in our monthly blood for at least 4 days before anyone would provide us with sanitary napkins, tampons, or hygienic products so that we can be able to clean ourselves and keep us protected from the Covid-19 virus. Most times they don’t even want to give us any hygienic supply when we need feminine product or hygiene’s. We are supplied with used under garment to wear. Most of these garments have blood stains in them. The food that we are given from the kitchen is not edible. The food is served to us spoiled, uncooked or raw. The water that they give us to drink are dirty or has insects in the water. We are forced to use a sink that smells like sewage to wash our hands and bathe with. We have wrote request and grievances for ICE officers to be aware of all these issues and they refuse to do anything about these matters that is concerning our wellbeing. ICE have no compassion or mercy. It feels as if we are serving our time for our crime all over and that feels like double jeopardy. I know that ICE will retaliate by trying to deport me even quicker, but something must get done and I will continue to speak up for the afraid voices.
Sincerely,
Samantha Veronica Lindsay