"In Cameroon, there's no way. In Africa, there is no way. I cannot live [as a gay man]. There is no way in Africa. Even the president, even the government, the civilian, you are no space in the community, you are not human in the community." - Elvis. As an asylum seeker who went up to the border patrol to ask for help after a harrowing journey, Elvis was surprised when they handcuffed him and locked him up for over nine months.

Credit: Henoch

“I am from Somalia. So, I leave Somalia this last year, July 10th…I come to the United States in September 9th. I’ve been in detention for eight months, and then they release me and then I come to Casa Marianella.” Abdul

“I never knew people can be detained such a long time. I’ve been there for seven months for something that I don’t understand.” Liban

“The people working the detention, the people, they abusing the people like an animal. You understand? They cut our power, you cannot ask for something…If you ask it, they can be mad.” -Ahmed. Ahmed was held in a “segregation unit”, or solitary confinement, for over a month for reasons he still does not understand.

“[Era] horrible, lo peor que tu puede pasar. Yo que nunca había estado preso, para mi fue horrible.” “It was horrible, the worst that you could go through. I had never been in prison, it was horrible for me.” Miguel