Reflection From Eloy Detention Center

By Diana Castillo

At the end of day 1, we drove to the deadliest detention center in the United States, Eloy. The Eloy Detention Center is isolated, hidden in the deep deserts of Arizona. It sits bordered by large fences with barbed wire, constantly patrolled by I.C.E. As the sun set, the only thing left to illuminate the dessert were the piercing fluorescent lights that crept into the darkness of the Arizona desert.

We began to sing "no estan solos" (you're not alone) as we marched toward the detention center. My heart ached. For the sole reason that I was born in the United States, I have the privilege to be here. I have the privilege to stand outside these fences. I have a piece of paper that states that I am “allowed” to be here, allowed to be on stolen land. That night in Eloy will stay with me forever. I wept in silence for my undocumented family members, friends, classmates, and strangers. I witnessed the tears of my fellow peers and strangers who suddenly felt like family. The emotional connection that was evoked from standing in solidarity was incredible and unexplainable.

The rest of that evening felt surreal. The band began playing iconic Mexican songs such as “Cariñito” and “Cielito Lindo” which immediately resurrected my hope. The sweet sound of trumpets and the upbeat Latin rhythm transported me into mi cocina at home with mi Abuelita y Mami. I closed my eyes and I felt at peace. I felt at home. Everyone began to dance and sing along to our favorite Latin hits as if we knew each other for years. Someone said that evening, “this is how Latinos protest” and I couldn’t agree more. There is a lack of words for how impactful that night was. At one point, someone realized the people inside the detention center were signaling back at us. Some were opening and closing their windows, others playing with their binds or waving their blanket. They could hear us. They could see us. They knew we were here in solitary. And a stupid piece of paper is keeping them apart from us, from their families.

My heart aches for those who are fighting for a better life. People seem to think immigrants want to leave their country behind, their families, their friends. They are forced to leave because of the conditions the United States have created in our countries. The United States has exploited Central and Latin America, leaving countries in extreme poverty and corruption. This is reality. People are fleeing their countries and seeking asylum, hoping for a better life. Instead, they are incarcerated and harassed, beat, and sexually assaulted by authority figures who are suppose to protect us. This is happening daily and Eloy is just one of the MANY detention centers in the United States.

Since Eloy, there is not one day I do not think about the amount of privilege I possess as a citizen of the United States. I am free to travel almost anywhere in the world. I do not live in fear of being deported from the only country I know. I will not struggle to obtain job opportunities because I have the documents necessary to proof my citizenship. I hold onto hope and continue to advocate for those who have been silenced. No estan solos.