Carlos and the Yuba Liberation Coalition
Carlos in an active member of the Yuba Liberation Coalition (YLC), a group of immigrant rights organizations and formerly and currently detained leaders who are fighting for the end of the contract between Yuba County Jail and ICE.
So That No One Walks In These Shoes Ever Again.
Carlos shared the following testimony about how he and fellow detainees came together to make sure everyone had shoes at Yuba County Jail
Written by Edwin Carmona-Cruz, member of the Yuba Liberation Coalition
How Carlos Joined the YLC
After signing his deportation in 2019, Carlos found himself in Honduras, stripped of his dignity, separated from his family and suffering from depression and serious medical conditions. Carlos’ previous gang life and affiliation places a huge target on his back and he was forced into hiding, further deepening his anxiety and depression. As the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, Carlos found reprise as a global lockdown delayed threats and potential torture. The virtual world allowed Carlos to maintain his relationships with the community he built in the US, including Susan Lange, a mutual-aid leader of Faithful Friends.
Susan is an active member of the Yuba Liberation Coalition. She saw Carlos’ leadership skills and passion to help others suffering from incarceration and family separation and invited Carlos to attend the meetings. The Yuba Liberation Coalition’s goals were to free the remaining individuals detained at the Yuba County Jail in ICE custody and to terminate the Yuba-ICE contract. During Carlos’ membership in the Yuba Liberation coalition he led a virtual vigil with over 70 participants, hosted several episodes of “Cafeteando Con Los 11” vía Instagram Live, attended congressional briefings on the Yuba-ICE contract and facilitated meetings with Members of Congress Lofgren, Correa, Garamendi, and US Senator Alex Padilla.
Carlos is a leader and a critical voice in terminating the last ICE contract with a county jail in California. His advocacy will not be deterred with miles, countries and borders in his way.