This project is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: stories change people.
Behind every detention case is a human life—someone with a history, a family, fears, hopes, and a voice that is too often unheard. Through this storytelling initiative, we seek to bring those voices forward by sharing the individual experiences of people currently in detention.
By moving beyond statistics and policy debates, these stories invite us to see the full humanity of those affected, to better understand the realities they face, and to reflect on what justice, dignity, and compassion truly mean. Our goal is not just to inform, but to foster connection—because when people are seen and heard, hearts and perspectives can begin to shift.
The Power of Human Kindness
An uncommon story from Abide in Love: A penpal's perpective telling about David's 3-month ICE detainment in Missouri as well as the happy moment of his release on bond.
One Family’s Fight to Stay Whole
When Polo went from roofing homes to being locked in a series of jails and ICE cages, his partner Julianne’s whole world collapsed. Their story runs from Pacific, Missouri to El Paso and Juárez—and exposes what immigrant families actually endure when a loved one is detained. Read the full story on our blog.
Why Is Armande Still Locked Up? The Hidden Hardship of Long‑Term ICE Detention
A software engineer with two master’s degrees, she came to the U.S. in 2019 and applied for asylum through the proper legal process. In Missouri, she built a life—working full-time, paying taxes, serving in her church, and encouraging others as a personal trainer.
On January 22, 2026, Armande Namegni walked into a routine asylum check‑in in St. Louis—and has spent every day since locked in rural Missouri jails. Her 180 days behind bars expose the hidden human cost of ICE detention.
The Woman Who Kept Showing Up
A software engineer with two master’s degrees, she came to the U.S. in 2019 and applied for asylum through the proper legal process. In Missouri, she built a life—working full-time, paying taxes, serving in her church, and encouraging others as a personal trainer.
On January 22, she went to a routine ICE check-in.
She never came home.