Chicago landscaper Rey Estrada's harrowing ordeal with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began on October 21 in Rogers Park, where he was working as an independent contractor. What ensued was a series of dehumanizing and humiliating experiences that left him feeling isolated, scared, and desperate for help.
The first step in his journey to detention was the verbal assault by ICE agents, who repeatedly called out terms like "illegal," "fat," and "black." Estrada claimed he had never received so much as a parking ticket. The agent's words were laced with malice, setting the tone for what would be an ordeal of neglect and disrespect.
After three hours in the back of an SUV, Estrada was whisked away to ICE's detention facility in Broadview, where he was crammed into a room meant for 80 people but housed over 150 men. The conditions were basic: no bed, mattress, or blankets, with only his jacket serving as a makeshift pillow. Sleep became impossible due to the constant noise and interruptions.
The food was also subpar – spoiled Subway sandwiches that Estrada wisely chose not to eat. Even the guards seemed to be a source of stress, with the Spanish-speaking staff being harsher than their English-speaking counterparts.
Estrada's only lifeline during this time was his wife, Liz Soto, who called him daily and assured him she would fight for his release. Their love story became a beacon of hope amidst chaos. Estrada's boss, Kristen Hulne, also played a crucial role in securing him a lawyer, investing upwards of $15,000 to ensure his freedom.
A change in circumstances came when Estrada was moved to the North Lake Processing Center in Michigan. Conditions there were vastly improved – clean food and comfortable living quarters – but the atmosphere remained somber.
It was here that Estrada found solace in prayer and telenovelas, which served as a distraction from his plight. However, even these comforting activities couldn't mask the pain of being separated from his family and facing deportation. The final straw came when Estrada punched through his bolted-down bed in frustration before being gently coaxed into therapy.
In this session, he found an unlikely source of comfort – a therapist who emphasized that "he's not a bad person" and reassured him about the possibility of being reunited with his loved ones.
Despite everything Estrada went through, his love for America remained unwavering. He believed in its opportunities and was willing to fight for them. As he finally walked out of detention on $1,500 bond, his family rejoiced knowing their beloved husband and father would soon be back home.
The experience, while traumatic, did not change Estrada's views on the United States. Instead, it only strengthened his resolve to build a new life here, with all its challenges and rewards.
The first step in his journey to detention was the verbal assault by ICE agents, who repeatedly called out terms like "illegal," "fat," and "black." Estrada claimed he had never received so much as a parking ticket. The agent's words were laced with malice, setting the tone for what would be an ordeal of neglect and disrespect.
After three hours in the back of an SUV, Estrada was whisked away to ICE's detention facility in Broadview, where he was crammed into a room meant for 80 people but housed over 150 men. The conditions were basic: no bed, mattress, or blankets, with only his jacket serving as a makeshift pillow. Sleep became impossible due to the constant noise and interruptions.
The food was also subpar – spoiled Subway sandwiches that Estrada wisely chose not to eat. Even the guards seemed to be a source of stress, with the Spanish-speaking staff being harsher than their English-speaking counterparts.
Estrada's only lifeline during this time was his wife, Liz Soto, who called him daily and assured him she would fight for his release. Their love story became a beacon of hope amidst chaos. Estrada's boss, Kristen Hulne, also played a crucial role in securing him a lawyer, investing upwards of $15,000 to ensure his freedom.
A change in circumstances came when Estrada was moved to the North Lake Processing Center in Michigan. Conditions there were vastly improved – clean food and comfortable living quarters – but the atmosphere remained somber.
It was here that Estrada found solace in prayer and telenovelas, which served as a distraction from his plight. However, even these comforting activities couldn't mask the pain of being separated from his family and facing deportation. The final straw came when Estrada punched through his bolted-down bed in frustration before being gently coaxed into therapy.
In this session, he found an unlikely source of comfort – a therapist who emphasized that "he's not a bad person" and reassured him about the possibility of being reunited with his loved ones.
Despite everything Estrada went through, his love for America remained unwavering. He believed in its opportunities and was willing to fight for them. As he finally walked out of detention on $1,500 bond, his family rejoiced knowing their beloved husband and father would soon be back home.
The experience, while traumatic, did not change Estrada's views on the United States. Instead, it only strengthened his resolve to build a new life here, with all its challenges and rewards.
Rey Estrada's story is so depressing, man... I mean, can you believe those ICE agents just tore into him like that? 
They're literally the worst example of how dehumanizing our immigration system can be. And the conditions he was stuck in are straight outta a horror movie - no bed, no blankets, and spoiled food? 
It's crazy that his boss even had to break the bank to get him a lawyer. $15k is wild... 
Anyway, I'm glad Estrada made it out alive, but like, what's next for him? Will he be able to find stable work or rebuild his life after this ordeal? 
ICE agents can be SO mean 
! Rey's story is like, totally heartbreaking 
, but I'm so glad he has an amazing wife 
to support him 
& a boss who cares 
. He's proof that even in tough times, love & kindness can win out 
. His story needs to be told more ASAP 
, so people can understand what ICE is going through 
. We should all try to be more understanding & empathetic towards others, especially when it comes to immigration issues 
. Let's spread some hope & positivity here 
!
And the conditions he was put in? Not even a bed or blankets?! That's inhumane. 
It's amazing how one session can shift someone's perspective, right?
We need to keep fighting for immigration reform and making sure everyone has access to the same opportunities.
. But what's even crazier is that it took him punching through his bed to realize he didn't have to be a victim 
. I'm so glad his love for America and his family kept him going 
he's lucky 2 have a wife who stayed with him n a boss who helped get him a lawyer 
his love 4 America is still strong despite everything he went thru 
. And to be crammed into a room meant for 80 people but housing over 150 men? It's like they're trying to break someone's spirit 
. And don't even get me started on the food – spoiled Subway sandwiches? Who does that? 
. It's like they're trying to dehumanize him, make him feel like he doesn't belong here 
. And we need to support people like Estrada who are just trying to build a better life for themselves and their families 
.
Those ICE agents are seriously messed up 
Their behavior is not only racist, but also super dehumanizing 
I mean, who does that to someone just trying to work and earn a living? 
But seriously, this whole thing needs to be addressed 
this is just heartbreaking. ICE agents treating someone like this, verbally assaulting them, calling them names... it's just disgusting. 
we're talking about basic human decency and respect for ppl being ignored by these so-called authorities. it's like, hello, we got ice in the us, but what did they do to stop immigration problems? just keep deporting ppl without even trying to understand their stories or circumstances 
food from subway? it's not even human worthy. and the staff? harsher with spanish-speaking ppl? what is this, some kinda nightmare? 
but can't we just try to be more empathetic towards each other? 
I'm glad Rey found some solace in therapy too 
and that he never lost faith in America 
just saw this thread and i'm still trying to wrap my head around it. ICE agents being super aggressive and dehumanizing towards someone? that's just messed up 
estrada wasnt even doing anything wrong just trying to make a living 4 himself & his fam but noice they made him sleep on the floor w/ nothin 
esp when u see ppl getting deported bcs of tiny mistakes 
And what's up with all the stereotypes and racism? It's 2025, we're supposed to be better than that 
They just want to do their job, but sometimes that means putting up with some crazy people like Estrada's boss Kristen Hulne who spends 15k on a lawyer for someone who doesn't even deserve it 
that was literally spoiled Sandwiches?! what kinda agency does that to its own people?! 
i'm glad his wife Liz Soto was there for him, she's a lifesaver 
and that therapist was literally an angel