Heart Transplant Patient Detained by ICE, Wife Fears for His Life
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A Georgia man recovering from a heart transplant is currently in federal immigration detention, sparking fears for his health and well-being. Jimmy Paz, arrested on January 17 in Kennesaw, is being held at the ICE detention center in Folkston, prompting urgent concerns from his wife, Glencys Gandica, who believes his detention jeopardizes his life due to a complex daily medication regimen.
Urgent Health Concerns Fuel Detention Debate
The case highlights the increasingly fraught intersection of immigration enforcement and medical necessity. According to Gandica, her husband requires more than 30 medications daily to prevent organ rejection and manage his post-transplant condition. Interrupting this carefully calibrated schedule, she argues, could have devastating consequences.
“This arrest puts my life at risk,” Gandica stated, expressing deep anxiety over her husband’s access to vital medications and specialized care within the detention facility.
Rising Concerns Over ICE Detention Practices
Paz’s case arrives amid growing scrutiny of conditions within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers. The situation echoes recent reports of vulnerable detainees facing inadequate medical attention. A separate case, involving a 68-year-old Hispanic woman deported to Honduras, revealed a startling preference for the conditions within a Georgia detention center over life back in her home country, citing safety concerns and lack of support.
This trend raises critical questions about the treatment of detainees with pre-existing medical conditions and the potential for life-threatening outcomes. “
Kennesaw Arrest and Folkston Detention
Details surrounding Paz’s arrest in Kennesaw remain limited. Federal immigration authorities have not yet released a statement regarding the specific reasons for his detention or his immigration status. He is currently being held at the Folkston ICE Processing Center, a facility known for its remote location and limited access for outside support.
The case is drawing attention from advocacy groups who argue that ICE should prioritize the medical needs of detainees, particularly those with chronic illnesses. The long-term implications of Paz’s detention remain uncertain, but his wife’s desperate plea underscores the urgent need for a more humane and medically informed approach to immigration enforcement.
