A mother, Jemmy Jimenez-Rosa, 42, from Canton, Massachusetts, faced a traumatic experience after being detained by Customs Border Patrol for ten days upon returning from a family trip, despite possessing a valid green card. Traveling with her husband and three young daughters, she was inexplicably held in various detention facilities in Massachusetts and Maine, including one designed for male detainees.
Following her release, Jemmy’s husband, Marcel, revealed the severe impact on her mental health, leading to debilitating PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks in public spaces, necessitating psychiatric treatment. Basic family outings have become impossible due to her condition, causing distress to the entire family.
Marcel emphasized the inhumane treatment they endured, expressing disbelief that such an ordeal could happen in a country known for its advancements. The detention stemmed from a minor marijuana charge dating back to 2003, which had been resolved and pardoned years ago, yet no explanation was provided for her prolonged detainment.
Throughout her time in custody, Jemmy’s health issues, including diabetes and allergies, were neglected, resulting in emergency room visits due to escalating medical concerns. Marcel’s attempts to seek information from Customs Border Patrol were met with alarming responses, highlighting the lack of transparency in the situation.
The family’s immigration attorney criticized the government’s handling of the case, denouncing the absence of formal explanations for Jemmy’s detention and the prolonged duration without charges. A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to assist with the family’s accumulating legal and medical expenses arising from the distressing incident.