ICE releases detained Filipino after ‘unreasonable failures of care’

A Filipino man awaiting the result of a deportation order has been released from Tacoma’s Northwest ICE Processing Centre following a federal court order that called the man’s detention unconstitutionally “punitive”.

While in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, Sorio – also known as “Kuya G” – developed a bone infection that led to healthcare providers amputating one of his toes and a portion of his foot.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone. I’m speechless,” Sorio, 37, said during a celebration hosted by the Tanggol Migrante Movement, according to a statement from the organisation, which described Sorio’s release as “an unexpected announcement”.

Though the court order released Sorio from the Tacoma detention centre, he still faces a deportation order and the threat of removal from the US.

Sorio moved to the United States on a green card in 2007. He is originally from Lingayen, Pangasinan, in the Philippines.