We, the undersigned, call on Congressman Jay Obernolte to urgently intervene with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and request the release of our friend, Rocio M., from ICE detention. *We'll be delivering this petition to his office on Monday August 25th for an in-person meeting*

Rocio has lived peacefully in Yucca Valley, CA, since January 2025, where her sponsor and a strong community support her. She has no criminal record, is not a flight risk, and has complied with all her legal requirements.

She has been held since July 9th in a detention facility in Arizona. A judge overseeing her case has even stated that, if jurisdiction allowed, he would release her on bond.

Meanwhile, Rocio’s health is deteriorating. She has fallen twice in detention and now requires knee surgery. Keeping her detained under these conditions is cruel and medically dangerous. After surgery, she faces being returned to the same unsafe environment, risking reinjury and denying her the proper recovery she urgently needs.

Rocio is reapplying for asylum after fleeing Equatorial Guinea, where her husband was killed for opposing the authoritarian regime. She has already endured life-threatening injuries and a long, perilous journey to reach safety in the U.S., where she's tried to make a life where she can support her two children (whom she had to separate from, given EG's regressive laws for women). She deserves a fair chance to pursue her asylum case with full access to her attorney—something she cannot do effectively while locked in detention.

Releasing Rocio would allow her to heal safely, remain connected to her community, and continue pursuing her case lawfully. Her community stands ready to support her and ensure she attends all hearings, as we have done faithfully.

We call on Congressman Obernolte to use his authority and influence to urge DHS to exercise its discretion and release Rocio immediately. Prolonging her detention is unnecessary, unjust, and inhumane.

Free Rocio now.