A Canadian man, Curtis Wright, has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the South Texas Detention Facility in Pearsall, Texas, since November. His fiancée, Kayla Thomsen, reports that Wright is facing cold and overcrowded conditions, inadequate food and water, and lengthy delays in his legal proceedings. Wright, who was born in Edmonton, has lived in the United States for nearly 30 years and is a permanent resident, working in the oil and gas sector.
On November 6, 2023, upon returning from a business trip in Mexico, Wright was subjected to secondary screening at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport. His fiancée, waiting at home with their 18-month-old daughter and Wright's two sons from a previous marriage, received a text that he was being detained and sent to an ICE facility. Thomsen expressed her distress at the situation, fearing for Wright's safety in a facility where he was shared with serious offenders.
The basis for Wright's detention stems from an old drug possession conviction dating back to his high school years. Thomsen shared that this incident involved Xanax tablets found in the back seat during a car ride with friends, for which he completed community service as part of his punishment. Although detainees like Wright have the option to self-deport, moving back to Canada could jeopardize his custody of his two sons, complicating his situation further.
Thomsen mentioned that Wright’s virtual court date was scheduled for last month, but the judge failed to appear, leaving them without answers and prolonging his detention. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not issued any comments regarding his case. The Trump administration has frequently portrayed their aggressive deportation policy as a means to remove dangerous criminals, leading to prolonged detention practices, particularly during Trump's second term.
Wright's conditions in detention have reportedly worsened with multiple transfers between facilities. Thomsen revealed that he has been without proper bedding and has faced extreme cold. At one point, Wright was given only a single frozen waffle for sustenance in an entire day. Although Thomsen has visited him, the visits are emotionally taxing, particularly for their young daughter, who struggles with the idea of being separated from her father.
Adding to the complexity of Wright's case, he has had prior legal troubles, including an impaired driving arrest and an incident involving a firearm, though he was not convicted for these incidents and they are not cited as reasons for his current detention. Furthermore, he has overcome alcoholism, remaining sober for five years and actively participating in Alcoholics Anonymous, where he helps others in the community.
Thomsen stated that Wright has also been providing support to other detainees, highlighting that many are in similar situations without being criminals. The current immigration policies have led to a wide net being cast, leading to the detention of individuals regardless of their visa status. Thomsen's frustrations reflect a broader concern over the immigration system, which she believes unfairly targets individuals like Wright.
In summary, Curtis Wright's situation exemplifies the challenges and emotional toll faced by undocumented individuals and their families under the current immigration enforcement practices. His ongoing detention raises serious questions about the adequacy of legal representation and the efficiency of the immigration court system.
