Johana is free! The fight for Cristian and Camila continues

Johana is free and back with her family! She walked out the front doors of the Vermont Federal District Court yesterday into the open arms of hundreds of supporters. Through the organized solidarity of her community, Johana was ordered released after five arduous days in detention and was reunited with her partner and two young daughters.

Missed the news about last week's ICE detention of Johana, Cristian, and Camila in South Burlington, Vermont? Read our full account from the day.

Photo credit: David Littlefield for Vermont Public

The federal courthouse in Burlington has been the sight of nearly continuous protests this week. We sang, chanted, and testified for hours outside Johana's hearing, followed by hours more yesterday and today in similar hearings for Cristian. Unfortunately, the judge hearing Cristian's case declined to order his immediate release – despite a strong condemnation of ICE's tactics in last week's detention.

Hearings for Cristian and Camila will continue in the coming days, in both federal and immigration courts. Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to take action for their freedom. Follow Migrant Justice on social media (Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter) for the most up-to-date information.

Last night, Cristian sent a message from the prison where he is being held in ICE custody:

This message is for Migrant Justice and all the people on the outside who are supporting me. I want to thank God for each and every one of you who have shown up for me. I am blessed to have you on my side. Thank you for being with me in these difficult moments. I hope to meet all of you and to one day join together in support of other people in the same situation. May God bless you all. I am so grateful that I am at a loss for words. You have become my friends, my family. I love you with all my heart and on behalf of myself, my son, and my wife, I thank you from the bottom of my heart