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I Was Jailed With Undocumented Immigrants
On May 2, 2016, I was sentenced to twenty-four months in federal prison for violating the “Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act.” The sentencing judge gave me one day to self-surrender to U.S. Marshalls and begin my new life as 12746–111.
When I self-surrendered at MCC San Diego the next morning, I was thrown into a packed dormitory. I was the only white person in the dorm. The other guys were all “paisas” — all charged with “illegal re-entry,” or drug cases complicated by their immigration status. I got to know these guys as some of the most kind and generous people I’ve ever met.
I remember the two young kids in the dorm in particular. Both 18 years old and having their lives destroyed by a racist system. I’d share coffee with them and we’d find ways to make fun of the correctional officers, despite the language barrier. They’d help me with my Spanish and I’d teach them basic phrases in English.
There was this young kid I talked to more often. He was facing a one-year sentence at 18 years old for giving an undocumented person a ride. He was a tough kid and took it all in stride. We would stand by the window, sipping coffee, and looking down on the people poolside in downtown San Diego. All the people oblivious to the hell just a few stories above them. My friend reminisced about his favorite places in San Diego, his…
