Wendell woman shares experience at an immigration detention center after being released

WENDELL, N.C. (WTVD) — A Wendell woman, detained by Border Patrol for more than a month, is sharing her experience at an immigration detention center after being released earlier this week.

Fatima Velazquez-Antonio was detained by Border Patrol agents on Nov. 18 while at an HVAC job site in Raleigh. For the last month, she stayed at a detention center in Georgia.

After having bond denied, she was finally released on Monday, and returned home to North Carolina on Tuesday. Her attorney had to file a habeas corpus petition, asking a judge to determine whether her detainment was legal.

“I’m so happy to be back home with my family,” said Velazquez.

Her boyfriend, Bryan Sanchez, said her return home was the greatest Christmas gift they could have asked for.

“I mean, it’s amazing that we got her back home,” he said.

Velazquez came to the U.S. from Honduras as an unaccompanied minor at 14.

According to federal documents, Velazquez has no aggravated felony convictions, and the government identified her detainment as involving a non-criminal individual.

As previously reported, Velazquez’s attorney said Velazquez has no criminal record, and said she was allowed to stay in the country as her asylum case processed.

ABC11 asked Velazquez whether she received any explanation as to why she was detained.

“No, no one gave me any explanation,” she said.

For the last month, Velazquez said she spent 24 hours a day in a room with 60 other women.

“When you go to the bathroom, you have no privacy. It’s the same thing when you have to bathe. Everyone can see you,” she said. “It’s hard.”

Velazquez said her faith kept her strong.

“I prayed to God every day. Every day after I woke up and before I went to bed,” she said. “I asked him to help me, give me patience, and give me the strength to get through my ordeal. But it felt like an eternity.”

She said seeing the support from people in Wake County also helped her get through her time at the detention center, including a rally held by neighbors and elected leaders calling for her release.

“All the community and the governor, the congresswoman. I mean, all of that support helped a lot,” said Sanchez. “We appreciate that a lot, with all my heart.”

Velazquez said she hopes that one day she can personally thank everyone who has shared her story and called for her release.

“I know many of them didn’t know me, but I have to thank them from the bottom of my heart for their support,” she said. “Just, thank you so much. One day, I’d like to see them and thank them in person.”

Velazquez and her family are raising money to cover her legal expenses.

Sanchez is saving up money again to eventually buy her an engagement ring. The money he was saving for the ring had to be spent to retain an attorney for her.

Velazquez has a hearing next week for her case.

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