Joselyn Chipantiza-Sisalema, a 20-year-old originally from Ecuador, attended her first immigration hearing in New York after migrating to join her family. Having traveled to the U.S. to seek asylum amid countrywide instability, she had complied with all legal requirements. However, after her hearing during which her next date was set for March 2026, she was unexpectedly seized by masked men and taken to a holding cell in the courthouse. Over the next nine days, Chipantiza-Sisalema faced poor conditions, a lack of food, no access to legal assistance, and inadequate sanitation facilities, alongside many others.
Joselyn Chipantiza-Sisalema, 20, took a subway to a federal court for her immigration hearing, having followed the rules for her asylum claim after fleeing Ecuador.
After her hearing, she was detained without charges or access to legal representation, enduring nine days in harsh conditions with other detainees in a holding cell.
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