Woman granted torture protection remains detained as U.S. seeks Congo deportation
Jun 2025·Location: North Louisiana, LA
A 23-year-old South American woman has been held at Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe for over a year despite an immigration judge's June 2025 ruling that she cannot be deported to her home country due to fear of torture based on her queer identity. The Trump administration has since sought to deport her to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country where she has no connections, does not speak the language, and where LGBTQIA2S+ individuals face persecution. Her sister reports the woman has experienced physical and psychological decline during her prolonged detention.
Sources
More incidents in Louisiana
- ICE agents chase and arrest three immigrants at Metairie businessOct 6, 2026 · Metairie, LA
- 20 immigrants detained in Louisiana wildlife, Border Patrol joint operationSep 26, 2026 · LA
- Costa Rican man with U visa detained by ICE for three months, loses 15 kg in Louisiana facilitySep 25, 2026 · LA
- Diabetic Costa Rican father dies in ICE custody after complaints of missed insulin, poor careSep 23, 2026 · LA
- Rohingya asylum seeker detained by ICE at New Orleans airport, held seven weeksSep 9, 2026 · New Orleans, LA
- Haitians deported weekly to Cap-Haïtien face danger amid inadequate reception, HRW findsSep 4, 2026 · Alexandria, LA