In August 2017, Maria Solis, a 28-year-old Mexican mother of three who was pregnant with her fourth, left her home in Oceanside, California to go to work.Waiting outside her apartment was an officer of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
But her torment wasn't only psychological. Maria began to undergo excruciating physical pain that made her worry for her well-being and that of her unborn child. She requested medical attention, but her family said she was instead given Tylenol and forced to deep-clean her cell, a task that required her to move heavy objects. She was told by staff there was nothing they could do, even if she were to miscarry on the spot, her sister said.
In January of this year, Garrido was picked up by the Atlanta police on a disturbance complaint. No charges were filed.
The Otay Mesa Detention Center is seen during a"Vigil for Carlos" rally on May 9 in Otay Mesa, California. The vigil was held to commemorate Carlos Ernesto Escobar Mejia, the first undocumented immigrant to die of COVID-19 related symptoms while being held at the facility.But taking on a company as large and powerful as CoreCivic is far beyond the means of the majority of whose lives are directly affected by the private prison industry.