El Refugio launches post-release program

“Being at Stewart Detention Center is traumatic enough; Getting home should not be traumatic.” — Amilcar Valencia, Executive Director of El Refugio

El Refugio launched a post-release program in January to assist immigrants and asylum-seekers released from Stewart Detention Center in getting home to their family or sponsor. The organization is working in partnership Paz Amigos in Columbus to ensure a safe journey home for everyone released from Stewart.

“Our board of directors has committed to a post-release program in an effort to alleviate the stress and chaos immigrants and asylum-seekers face when released from Stewart,” Valencia said. “El Refugio has been helping for years on an ad hoc basis, and we have spent the past year creating a program that will meet the needs of stepping out of Stewart and into freedom.”

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) drops immigrants and asylum-seekers off late at night at the Greyhound bus station in Columbus, long after the station has closed, or at Groome Transportation, where the staff graciously call volunteers from Paz Amigos to help. Volunteers with Paz Amigos help immigrants released from Stewart catch their buses and flights every weeknight and often provide overnight accommodations. But the need is overwhelming, and El Refugio is now able to help consistently.

“Through our post-release program, we offer assistance from the moment immigrants and asylum-seekers are released on bond, on parole, or because they won their case,” Valencia said. “They will be able to stay at our hospitality house while making travel arrangements and wait there to be picked up. They can spend the night, and we will take them to Columbus the next morning to catch a Greyhound bus or airport shuttle. We will provide meals, as well as items such as a backpack, clothing, hygiene supplies, and a pre-paid phone.”

To manage the program, El Refugio has hired a full-time Post-Release Program Coordinator who will be based in Lumpkin.

El Refugio began fundraising for the post-release program in late 2018, and has received generous support from the Episcopal Community Foundation of North Georgia, AEC Trust, the Latino Community Fund of Georgia, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, and Central Congregational United Church of Christ.

“A new program is a leap of faith,” Valencia said. ”I am so grateful that we have so many friends who are committed to justice for immigrants and asylum-seekers at Stewart and their loved ones.”

To volunteer with the Post-Release Program fill out this form. Please also consider a donation to El Refugio.