Undocumented, Unafraid, Unapologetic Rally: Civil Disobedience Action Against MCCF’s Contract with ICE
On Thursday June 28th, Sheila Quintana, 19, Erika Nunez, 21, and Jose Luna, 23, demanded that Montgomery County Correctional Facility stop honoring ICE detainers. The facility had made a contract with ICE that gave them an additional profit every time an undocumented immigrant was housed in the facility. In addition to the contract, the raids and arrest in Norristown had increased significantly and created a culture of fear in the community.
After blocking the street for an hour and a half, the participants or ‘PA 3’ were arrested and spent multiple days in jail. As a response, the community showed its support by holding a vigil every evening until all participants were released. In jail, Sheila and Erika sent out the following message to their community:
“We continue to be undocumented and unafraid. We are currently located at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, where we have been treated with respect by all. We are in no immediate danger, but we have decided together that our main priority is to have our male participant, Jose Luna, released on bail. While we have each other, he is alone without an immediate source of support. Please contribute to our bail fund with him in mind. We are humbled by your support.
Undocumented and Unafraid,
Sheila Quintana and Erika Nunez”
Upon Sheila’s and Erika’s request, Jose Luna was released first on June 30th; Sheila and Erika in turn were released on July 1st. MCCF no longer holds undocumented immigrants for ICE.