Since 2007 Interfaith Committee for Detained Immigrants has been providing pastoral care and accompaniment for people affected by our broken immigration system.
In detention centers, deportation centers, unaccompanied immigrant children group homes, immigration court, and houses of hospitality we meet immigrants and migrants in times of need and uncertainty.
The housing program has the largest funding need and we appeal to those who may not know about the hardships of an asylum seeker. Here is a personal story:
"I do not have words to describe how my heart felt when I met the people of ICDI.”
These were the words Meldon (this is a pseudonym to protect his identity) used as he teared up and told us about his ordeal. After an election upset in his home country, the ruling party did not want to be pushed out and they began killing those who had won. Meldon’s colleagues were killed and one night he received a call from a friend urging him to flee. They were planning on killing him too.
He packed some money and a few things and left with his wife and four children in the dark of the night. He made the difficult decision to leave his wife in the care of her family and buy a ticket to the Americas with the promise to reunite in the future after he settled somewhere.
It took him two months to journey to the United States. Part of the journey was by boat as he watched two other boats sink. Everyone on board drowned, but somehow his boat made it. Finally arriving at the US border he felt great relief and asked for protection.
Much to his surprise, he was handcuffed and taken to a detention facility. For three days he slept on a cold cement floor, crowded with others who had been detained. From there he was shuffled through various facilities and then moved to Illinois.
We met him at McHenry County Jail. The day after his arrival was a visitation day. After four months in detention, Meldon was released and now lives in the Marie Joseph House of Hospitality for Men with other asylum seekers.
ICDI Supports adults and families with small children with their educational needs. Classes and schools that fit the needs of the resident are chosen by a case manager and program director. An 18 year old may want to further his education to further his dream, while a small child may need the environment of a smaller parochial school, which requires tuition.
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