Demand the release of Paul J. Essel from ICE detention
The Issue
Percy Amoful-Essel, my dear friend, is living a nightmare that no family should endure. His father, Paul J. Essel, has been unjustly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Greene County Jail in Springfield, Missouri. This traumatic event has not only torn their family apart but also spotlighted the harsh reality that many immigrant families face in the United States.
Paul J. Essel is not a criminal. He is a devoted father and a valued community member who deserves to be with his loved ones and continue building his life in the United States, free from fear and uncertainty. His detention exemplifies the systemic injustice faced by countless individuals caught in the immigration system—a system that all too often prioritizes enforcement over compassion and humanity.
Every day that Paul J. Essel spends in detention is another day of anguish for his family. ICE’s aggressive tactics, often without regard for the emotional and social toll on families, are tearing communities apart at their very seams. This is not what America stands for. We are a nation built on the foundation of family values and the rich contributions of immigrants from all over the world.
Moreover, empirical studies consistently show that detaining non-violent individuals like Paul J. Essel is both a drain on resources and an ineffective immigration control strategy. According to the American Immigration Council, ICE detention costs American taxpayers approximately $210 per day per detainee. These funds could be redirected toward more humane and effective community-based alternatives, promoting fairness and justice in handling immigration issues.
It is time for us to raise our voices and demand the immediate release of Paul J. Essel. We are calling on ICE and local authorities in Missouri to acknowledge the injustice of his detention and take action to reunite this family.
Please, if you believe in justice, if you believe in family, sign this petition. Your signature can help bring Paul J. Essel home to his family and send a powerful message against the unnecessary detention of non-violent immigrants. Together, we can demand a change that reflects the compassionate and inclusive values we hold dear.
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The Issue
Percy Amoful-Essel, my dear friend, is living a nightmare that no family should endure. His father, Paul J. Essel, has been unjustly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Greene County Jail in Springfield, Missouri. This traumatic event has not only torn their family apart but also spotlighted the harsh reality that many immigrant families face in the United States.
Paul J. Essel is not a criminal. He is a devoted father and a valued community member who deserves to be with his loved ones and continue building his life in the United States, free from fear and uncertainty. His detention exemplifies the systemic injustice faced by countless individuals caught in the immigration system—a system that all too often prioritizes enforcement over compassion and humanity.
Every day that Paul J. Essel spends in detention is another day of anguish for his family. ICE’s aggressive tactics, often without regard for the emotional and social toll on families, are tearing communities apart at their very seams. This is not what America stands for. We are a nation built on the foundation of family values and the rich contributions of immigrants from all over the world.
Moreover, empirical studies consistently show that detaining non-violent individuals like Paul J. Essel is both a drain on resources and an ineffective immigration control strategy. According to the American Immigration Council, ICE detention costs American taxpayers approximately $210 per day per detainee. These funds could be redirected toward more humane and effective community-based alternatives, promoting fairness and justice in handling immigration issues.
It is time for us to raise our voices and demand the immediate release of Paul J. Essel. We are calling on ICE and local authorities in Missouri to acknowledge the injustice of his detention and take action to reunite this family.
Please, if you believe in justice, if you believe in family, sign this petition. Your signature can help bring Paul J. Essel home to his family and send a powerful message against the unnecessary detention of non-violent immigrants. Together, we can demand a change that reflects the compassionate and inclusive values we hold dear.
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Petition created on October 9, 2026