"We all just want to go home to our families."

Below are sections from two letters sent to FFI from Oliver Dunbar, currently detained at Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami.

His correspondence to us includes background about a traumatic groin injury and reconstructive surgery he suffered prior to being incarcerated; since being in detention Mr. Dunbar has not received the specialized followup he requires.

I was detained at the Essex Correctional Facility, Newark for approximately one year, and came to Krome Service Processing Facility, Miami going on 9 months fighting my immigration case.

I used to cry at nights, because they really remind you why you are here at this facility. They often try to break your spirit and treat you in a degrading manner. Every place is the same - there is no good one or bad one. We just all want to go home to our families.

I would not wish this on anyone, the fact that they take away your Fifth Amendment rights of the United States Constitution.

The AGS and other officials are enforcing what they see fit for the detainees, I am afraid to say it.

I have been attacked by Krome officials, medical staff and detainees countless times [but] my grievance somehow does not make anyone help me. But I am still fighting my case and that is the next part to the story. I have been in this country 43 years, permanent resident, valid green card and passport. DHS/ICE has never really looked at my case or even given me the opportunity to reopen my case. My lawyers have filed so many applications on my behalf, and even knowing that I am at risk if I was to be deported, the Offenses Against the Person Act of Unnatural Crime section 76, 77, 78, 79 are not in my favor, but instead to prosecute me for being myself. The Fifth Amendment and the Constitution has laws to protect the people that belong to a particular social group (LGBTIQ or LGBT) based on their sexual orientation and/or gender. I have been fighting that all my life and I am finally at peace in a country that can make me feel safe. I can tell you this: I have learned a lot of things about detention and have seen plenty of things that raise questions.

Be afraid, be very afraid. You have to LOOK, LISTEN & LEARN and you will see so many things. The living conditions are not how people think it is.

Before I sign off with this letter, I want to say thank you for the opportunity to get a letter from your organization. God is good, waking up every morning, and seeing God I realize that I only have one choice to make.

My daughter said to me, daddy I love you no matter what. She is my own personal Angel. Then my son tells me if God can forgive and cast out all the evil that he can forgive me. I was so moved.

My name is Oliver J. Dunbar and I am scared and tired of having my legal documents, medical and personal documents, files and letters and family photographs taken away and opening up my outgoing mails and restricting me from writing and trying to get my message of the living conditions and the medical treatment that has not helped me, and no one seems to know what goes on behind the walls.

I want to share a small story. During the World War when the German troops invaded and captured the Jews and put them in those horrible camps, then watching social media they held a news conference when they detained the Muslims at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba or Refugees. The bottom line is refugees that are held in concentration camps, but they showed me that they did not care when they allowed that my health was not in their best interest. I have just been a No. 619, God will protect me. I am sorry for the long story.

Sincerely,

Oliver J. Dunbar

Oliver Dunbar is an artist and chef. Before attending the New York Culinary School of Arts in 1989, he had already attended the School of Visual Arts in New York as an art major. He also received three scholarships to Visual, Pratt and Parson.