My name is Katelyn Quino, and I am reaching out with an urgent plea for justice for my father, Nicolas Chocoj-Quino. Just days before the holidays on December 20, 2024, my dad was detained by immigration authorities and transferred to Moshannon Valley ICE Processing Center in Pennsylvania. This past weekend, he was transferred without notice to Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center in Louisiana, and earlier this week, he was again transferred—this time to the Alexandria Staging Facility, also in Louisiana, which is operated by the GEO Group. Each transfer left me searching endlessly to locate him, adding to the emotional and logistical toll on my family.

It’s clear now that deportation is imminent—it’s only a matter of when. My family is left to navigate this devastation, but I still hold onto hope and will not stop fighting for my dad’s return.

The impact of this situation has been absolutely heartbreaking. My dad has always been the heart of our family—especially for my three younger sisters: Katie (14), Lesley (10), and Sofia (5). He is the primary provider, source of stability, and the glue that holds us together. Instead of celebrating Christmas together, my sisters spent the holidays grieving his absence. Now, they must face the reality of him being far away and missing important milestones, including Lesley’s 11th birthday this Friday, January 17th, and Katie’s 15th birthday on February 3rd. The sweet 15 celebration we had planned will no longer be possible.

This tragedy is compounded by the severe medical negligence my dad endured while in detention. Just a week before he was detained, my dad suffered a heart attack triggered by a traumatic incident at work. He required emergency care, and a cardiologist confirmed his need for ongoing treatment. Despite this, he was denied proper medical attention while detained.

While at Moshannon Valley ICE Processing Center, my dad reported severe chest pain and numbness in his arm—symptoms of a potential stroke—but his complaints were ignored. His subsequent transfers to Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center and now to Alexandria Staging Facility have only exacerbated the uncertainty and fear for his well-being. GEO Group, the private company operating these facilities, has a long history of human rights abuses, medical negligence, and systemic neglect that devastates families like mine.

The trauma inflicted on my family by this broken immigration system is immeasurable. Family separation is cruel and inhumane, and the emotional toll on my younger sisters is undeniable. As the eldest, I have taken on the responsibility of providing for them and supporting them emotionally, but nothing can replace the presence of our dad.

We need your help to demand justice:

• Hold ICE and GEO Group accountable for the medical negligence, lack of transparency, and human rights violations my dad endured.
• Investigate the systemic failures in private, for-profit detention facilities that prioritize profits over human dignity.
• Ensure proper medical care and transparency are provided to all detainees.
• Advocate for meaningful reforms to our immigration system to prevent further devastation to families like mine.

Take Action Now:

• Sign and Share this Petition to amplify our voices and demand accountability.
• Donate to Our GoFundMe to support legal expenses, living costs for my younger sisters, and to help my dad rebuild his life until we can bring him back home.
• Contact Government Officials through our Linktree, which includes email templates, call scripts, and contact information for ICE, GEO Group, and elected officials.

My dad taught me to be fierce and resilient, even in the face of unimaginable challenges. I will continue to fight for him, my sisters, and all families torn apart by systemic injustice. Your support—whether through a signature, donation, or sharing this petition—helps us take one step closer to justice and accountability.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing with us.