Members of the Tanggol Migrante Movement (TMM), Defend Migrants Alliance, International Migrants Alliance, Migrante South Center, and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan USA launched a protest and press conference in front of St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington on October 24 to condemn the medical and criminal neglect by the US and Philippine governments towards Filipino immigrant “Kuya G.”
Kuya G, a father to three children, has lived in the US for 20 years. Officials detained him on March 1 at the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) and he currently faces deportation because of the Philippine embassy’s negligence in his case.
Kuya G has endured severe abdominal pain, bloody stools, coughing with blood, recurring fever, and sudden weight loss for four months. Despite his worsening condition, NWDC staff ignored his situation. On October 16, they brought him to St. Joseph’s Medical Center where he was diagnosed with colitis and possibly colon cancer. He was taken back to the medical center on October 23 because of a severe bone infection that required amputating a toe. The hospital’s doctors said his illnesses could have been prevented if given early attention.
National democratic organizations in the US have campaigned since July for his urgent medical attention. They repeatedly pressed the Philippine consulate and submitted formal reports regarding his condition.
ICE and GEO Group (the company that owns NWDC) officials forbade organizations from visiting and giving food to Kuya G at the hospital.
“To deny someone both critical medical care and human connection is cruel and dehumanizing. No one should ever be treated this way,” Malaya Tacoma member Keri said.
“The Philippine consulate cannot deny the fact that their Philippine national is in crisis, yet they neglect to lift a single finger. They told Kuya G that they will follow the decision the US government makes, proving they prioritize diplomatic relations over serving their people while also claiming they provide proper assistance to migrants in detention,” TMM stated.
The organizations are calling for accountability from ICE, the GEO Group, and the Philippine consulate. They are also demanding comprehensive medical assistance for Kuya G and everyone detained in ICE facilities.
