Trans Asylum Seeker 'OJM' taken across state-lines to Tacoma detention center.

     Portland, OR - On Monday a 24 year old Trans woman and asylum seeker from Mexico was detained when she appeared for a scheduled court hearing at the US Immigrations Court in Portland, Oregon. Identified only by her initials, 'OJM' is fleeing sexual and discriminatory violence after she was raped by cartel members. According to her habeas petition these cartel members “threatened to kill her because O-J-M is a Trans woman.”

     Masked ICE Agents were spotted in the hallways of the building prior to her arrest. According to multiple anonymous sources within the building ICE was actively pressuring asylum seekers into dropping their cases, with intention to detain them as soon as they do. Lawyers, legal observers, human rights groups and community members were quick to respond to what is the first known violation of Portland's Sanctuary status in recent history. However OJM was taken across state-lines to the North West Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington. The NWDC is notorious for overcrowding and is one of largest immigration prisons in the United States.

     Many transgender activists are now fearful that OJM may again be suffering sexual violence with the North West Detention Center, which a UW report found claims of back in 2022. These worries are compounded by fears that she is also being held in a males quarters.

     OJM wouldn't be the only asylum seeker taken this way. A man only known a Y-Z-L-H by records was also taken from the same courthouse. YZLH was almost immediately taken to the NWDC. There is a court order in place by US Judge Michael Simon ordering that these two be returned to the state of Oregon.

     UVN accompanied a small group of Portlanders who went to Tacoma to show solidarity at the NWDC. They came not just for OJM but for Maximo, Londonio, an IAM Union worker also detained at the site. Many of Max's fellow union workers gathered outside the prison to demand his release, the demonstrators would also take a moment to show solidarity for OJM and YZLH.

     “I'm really happy to see Max's union and family come out so strongly to support him” said one of the demonstrators from Portland. However they would add “I'm scared for the people like OJM and YZLH who might not have that support system”

     It is unclear whether or not these two will be returned to Portland, however community members back in the PDX remain hopeful for their release.