Advocates Push for Release of Detainee with Health Issues

News Summary

Advocates are demanding the release of Arbella Rodríguez Márquez, a 39-year-old legal permanent resident detained due to her critical health conditions. Since being held for five months at Eloy Detention Center, her health has deteriorated significantly, with severe symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Her partner, Sonia Almaraz, along with supporters, highlights the urgent need for medical care and calls for systemic changes to the immigration detention system, which is under scrutiny for its treatment of vulnerable individuals.

Phoenix, Arizona – Advocates are urging for the release of Arbella Rodríguez Márquez, a 39-year-old legal permanent resident who has been held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention for five months. Rodríguez Márquez, often referred to as “Yari,” is facing critical health issues stemming from chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a cancer that severely impacts white blood cells and bone marrow.

Since her detention at the Eloy Detention Center on February 10, 2025, her health has rapidly declined. Reports indicate she has lost 55 pounds and is suffering from severe symptoms such as swelling in her hands, extreme fatigue, and dehydration. Her partner, Sonia Almaraz, who is a U.S. citizen, has expressed deep concern for Rodríguez Márquez’s well-being, highlighting the urgent need for medical care that she is not receiving in detention.

Almaraz has actively campaigned for Rodríguez Márquez’s release, receiving support from Trans Queer Pueblo, an immigrant rights organization based in Phoenix. She noted that both her and Rodríguez Márquez’s backgrounds are free of any criminal history, a fact that compounds the distress surrounding Rodríguez Márquez’s detention. The couple was detained at the Nogales border crossing while returning to the U.S. from Mexico and has since been struggling with the implications of her current situation.

In the wake of her detention, Rodríguez Márquez’s permanent residency was revoked by a federal immigration judge, and her requests for parole have been denied, even in light of her deteriorating medical condition. This has raised alarm, considering that the Eloy Detention Center reportedly has one of the highest mortality rates among civil detention facilities in the U.S., as noted by Detention Watch Network.

U.S. Representative Yassamin Ansari, who visited the Eloy Detention Center in May, reported observing inhumane treatment of detainees, emphasizing the need for immediate reform within such facilities. Almaraz visits her partner weekly, but these visits are limited to just one hour, restricting them to brief contact that includes a single hug and kiss.

The emotional toll of this experience has been devastating for Almaraz, who described the ordeal as “stressful and scary.” She indicated that, during their initial detention, they received no explanation regarding the reasons behind their arrest, adding to the confusion and anxiety surrounding their situation.

Through her advocacy efforts, Almaraz has received support from Trans Queer Pueblo and other organizations, which has helped bolster her determination to fight for her partner’s release. She has argued that Rodríguez Márquez deserves recognition beyond how the government has treated her, stressing her humanity and their shared life together. Rodríguez Márquez herself has conveyed a strong sense of resolve, vowing not to give up on her situation despite the challenges she faces daily.

The case highlights significant issues within the U.S. immigration detention system, particularly concerning the treatment of individuals with serious health conditions. Advocates continue to call upon ICE and the federal government to prioritize the health and well-being of detainees, especially in cases where medical conditions are deteriorating and adequate care is not being provided.

As the situation unfolds, Almaraz remains hopeful for Rodríguez Márquez’s release and continues to advocate for systemic changes in the detention system to prevent similar cases from arising in the future.

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Additional Resources

• SourceNM: For-Profit Immigration Detention Expands
• Google Search: U.S. Immigration Detention
• AZ Mirror: Mayhem as ICE Officials Arrest at Immigration Court
• Wikipedia: Immigration Detention in the United States
• The Guardian: ICE Mistakenly Detain U.S. Marshal
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
• Border Report: CBP Shutting Down Migrant Processing Facilities