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To: Colorado ICE Field Office Director

Tell ICE to #FreeKelly!

After 1,051 days in immigration jail, Kelly was released from Aurora Detention Center in Colorado! Since the campaign to #FreeKelly was launched, more than 90,000 people joined in demanding Kelly’s release. We strongly believe ICE was forced to release Kelly, largely due to intense community advocacy.

We demand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) release Kelly, a young transgender asylum seeker who has been suffering in immigration jail for nearly three years and spent four months in solitary confinement because of her gender identity!

Why is this important?

Kelly is a 23-year-old transgender asylum seeker who has been locked up in immigration jail for nearly three years. Kelly is suffering medical neglect and was put in solitary confinement for four months solely because of her gender identity. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has the power to release her immediately but refuses to let her go.

Kelly is suffering tremendously, both physically and mentally. Additionally, her unnecessarily prolonged detention is exacerbating the trauma she has experienced as a domestic violence and human trafficking survivor.

During her nearly three years in detention, Kelly has never been given a bond hearing. All Kelly wants is to live safely and without fear. Unfortunately, there are many more transgender individuals like Kelly who are unjustly locked up in immigration jail while they apply for asylum, and are experiencing inhumane treatment because of their gender identity.

Kelly needs your help. Sign the petition to demand that ICE use its discretion to #FreeKelly now!

Updates

2020-07-16 10:17:39 -0400

Petition is successful with 2,780 signatures

2020-07-15 17:11:13 -0400

After 1,051 days in immigration jail, Kelly was released from Aurora Detention Center in Colorado!

THANK YOU to everyone who signed the petition calling on U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) to release Kelly. 90,000+ people demanded Kelly’s release. We strongly believe ICE was forced to release Kelly, largely due to intense community advocacy.

Kelly's fight is not over. She is still in immigration proceedings, though she can now take it on surrounded by a loving and supportive community.

During Kelly’s detainment, she was organizing to ensure that others who were detained with her were included in the advocacy for release. We continue to fight for the freedom of other transgender people who remain locked up in ICE jails.

Read the full update from the #FreeKelly Campaign Team: https://www.translatinacoalition.org/blog/2020/7/14/after-1051-days-in-detention-kelly-was-released-from-aurora-detention-center-earlier-this-morning

Thank you again for supporting Kelly!

2020-02-12 12:48:57 -0500

Hi supporters of Kelly, ICE recently transferred Kelly along with several other transgender women to Aurora Detention Center near Denver, Colorado after abruptly closing the transgender pod in the jail in Cibola, New Mexico. We need to re-up the demand to release Kelly immediately. Kelly has already been transferred to several immigration jails during her 2.5+ years in detention, and she needs to be released now NOT transferred again! Please share the petition with friends and networks to increase the pressure on ICE to #FreeKelly now!