Thursday, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) released the following statement following confirmation from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that Wildin Acosta was released from restricted housing at Stewart Detention Center:
“After nine days in restricted housing, Wildin Acosta has been returned to the general population at Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. While I am relieved that he has been released from restricted housing, I remain deeply concerned over his continued detention. He has now been in detention for nearly five months with nine of those days being in restricted housing. I worry about the lasting psychological effects this experience could have on a 19 year-old young man who has already experienced significant hardship.
“Wildin was placed in restricted housing shortly after I traveled to Stewart Detention Center to meet with him in person on May 27, 2016. The timing of Wildin being placed in restricted housing is highly suspect and raises many questions. I will continue to be vigilant in ensuring Wildin is treated fairly while at the facility.
“These recent actions taken against Wildin only further my resolve to fight for his release and I, once again, call on ICE Director Saldaña and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to use their executive authority to release Wildin from detention.”