Rey Estrada, a 45-year-old landscaper from Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood, was one of thousands caught up in a federal deportation crackdown, known as Operation Midway Blitz. His ordeal began on October 21st when he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while working on his job.
The agents subjected him to dehumanizing treatment, uttering derogatory terms like "illegal," "fat," and "black." Estrada's crime? Working a legitimate job in the United States without proper paperwork. Despite having no prior convictions, he was seized alongside over 60% of those targeted by Operation Midway Blitz who had no records of wrongdoing.
He spent three hours in an SUV, before being taken to the ICE detention facility in Broadview, west suburban Chicago. For the next two days, Estrada shared a cramped room with 150 other men, despite its intended capacity for 80 inmates. There were just three metal toilets and constant lighting. Sleep was impossible due to frequent door openings where names were yelled out.
Estrada's basic needs were neglected: there was no bed, mattress, or blankets. To pass the time, he folded his jacket as a makeshift pillow. The environment was oppressive – it was sweltering and spoiled food – including Subway sandwiches with black moldy meat, which Estrada had to pick around.
His treatment by guards varied; those speaking Spanish were harsher than their English-speaking counterparts, who he described as kind and professional. Estrada made his first phone call home during the afternoon of his detention, reassuring his worried wife that he would fight the deportation case.
He was then transported to the North Lake Processing Center in Michigan, where conditions improved significantly. Despite initial hunger, Estrada managed to buy basic necessities through a commissary account run by his employer. His fellow detainees were primarily laborers and landscapers like himself.
Estrada shared that his situation was unusual; he had no history of crime or gang involvement and was deemed low-risk. To pass time, he prayed in the facility's chapel, watched telenovelas, or slept. The only significant incident occurred when his bed broke loose during a therapy session with a counselor who informed him he wasn't a bad person.
He remained hopeful due to regular phone calls from his wife and employer, Kristen Hulne, who hired an attorney estimated to cost between $15,000 to $18,000. This was enough to secure Estrada's release on a $1,500 bond on December 29th.
Upon his return home, Estrada expressed gratitude for the treatment he received at the North Lake facility. His employer's support was pivotal in securing his freedom. Estrada has since reapply for citizenship and is optimistic about obtaining a green card.
The agents subjected him to dehumanizing treatment, uttering derogatory terms like "illegal," "fat," and "black." Estrada's crime? Working a legitimate job in the United States without proper paperwork. Despite having no prior convictions, he was seized alongside over 60% of those targeted by Operation Midway Blitz who had no records of wrongdoing.
He spent three hours in an SUV, before being taken to the ICE detention facility in Broadview, west suburban Chicago. For the next two days, Estrada shared a cramped room with 150 other men, despite its intended capacity for 80 inmates. There were just three metal toilets and constant lighting. Sleep was impossible due to frequent door openings where names were yelled out.
Estrada's basic needs were neglected: there was no bed, mattress, or blankets. To pass the time, he folded his jacket as a makeshift pillow. The environment was oppressive – it was sweltering and spoiled food – including Subway sandwiches with black moldy meat, which Estrada had to pick around.
His treatment by guards varied; those speaking Spanish were harsher than their English-speaking counterparts, who he described as kind and professional. Estrada made his first phone call home during the afternoon of his detention, reassuring his worried wife that he would fight the deportation case.
He was then transported to the North Lake Processing Center in Michigan, where conditions improved significantly. Despite initial hunger, Estrada managed to buy basic necessities through a commissary account run by his employer. His fellow detainees were primarily laborers and landscapers like himself.
Estrada shared that his situation was unusual; he had no history of crime or gang involvement and was deemed low-risk. To pass time, he prayed in the facility's chapel, watched telenovelas, or slept. The only significant incident occurred when his bed broke loose during a therapy session with a counselor who informed him he wasn't a bad person.
He remained hopeful due to regular phone calls from his wife and employer, Kristen Hulne, who hired an attorney estimated to cost between $15,000 to $18,000. This was enough to secure Estrada's release on a $1,500 bond on December 29th.
Upon his return home, Estrada expressed gratitude for the treatment he received at the North Lake facility. His employer's support was pivotal in securing his freedom. Estrada has since reapply for citizenship and is optimistic about obtaining a green card.
. Like, how can people just be rounded up and treated like animals? It's crazy that Estrada was subjected to all that crap without even having a record of doing anything wrong. And the treatment by guards is just wild - some were super nice, while others were straight up harsh. 
. And the part where ppl are talkin trash & dehumanizin him? Unbelievable 
. Good on Rey 4 fightin back & now gettin a second chance, but we need 2 do better as a society
OMG, can you believe 60% of people targeted by Operation Midway Blitz had NO prior convictions?! 
I mean, Estrada was just doing his job and got caught up in this whole mess. Three hours in an SUV before being thrown into a tiny room with 150 other guys? That's so rough! 
And the food? Subway sandwiches with black moldy meat? Gross! 
Did you know that ICE detention facilities have a capacity of 80 inmates, but often exceed it by 10-20%?! 
This is a major red flag for human rights. The fact that Estrada shared a room with 150 other guys and had to fold his jacket as a pillow? 
Unbelievable!
It's like they're speaking a different language or something! 
That's a lot of money, especially for low-income families. It's no wonder that many people are stuck in this system with little hope of ever getting released.
Despite all this, Estrada is optimistic about obtaining a green card! 
We should be too! 
Let's keep pushing for reform and making our voices heard! 
, but at the same time, I think it's kinda messed up that these guys were treated like dirt 
. I mean, come on, Rey Estrada was just trying to work a legit job without doing anything wrong... how can you deport someone for not having the right papers? It's all about fairness and stuff... but at the same time, I don't think it's cool that he had to deal with such harsh conditions 
But seriously, it's wild that he was able to turn things around after being moved to a better facility and getting some support from his employer... and I'm glad he got released on that sweet $1,500 bond 
. But still, I wish more people could just be more understanding and less judgmental towards folks who are just trying to make a living 
.
just 'cause you don't have proper papers! 
️ It's not fair, man... Rey Estrada was just trying to make a living like everyone else. And can you believe the way he was treated? 
Those ICE agents were super harsh on him and his Spanish-speaking friends 
It's a miracle anyone slept at all. And food like Subway sandwiches with moldy meat? 
who helped him get out of this mess for $15,000 
It's a long shot, but he's got spirit!