"Letter from an Immigration Jail": Hear the Words of Detained Immigrant Leader Ravi Ragbir

On Martin Luther King Day here in New York City, hundreds gathered to oppose the detention of local activist Ravi Ragbir, who was detained last week when he went to his check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. Ragbir is executive director of the New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC, and he helped pioneer the accompaniment program for thousands of others who face similar check-ins. Ravi's detention sparked a peaceful protest that was met with police violence. Police arrested 18 people, including members of the New York City Council. Ravi legally immigrated to the United States from Trinidad and Tobago more than 25 years ago, but a 2001 wire fraud conviction made his green card subject to review. Even though he is married to a U.S. citizen and has a U.S.-born daughter, the government refused to normalize his status. Just a week prior, Jean Montrevil, another leader with the New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC, was detained outside of his home. He was deported to Haiti on Tuesday. On Monday, hundreds circled Washington Square Park in a Jericho walk and then gathered at Judson Memorial Church to show support for Ravi and Jean. Rhiya Trivedi, a member of Ravi Ragbir's defense committee, read a letter from Ravi.