Friends of Orange County Detainees
Cause Area
- Advocacy & Human Rights
- Immigrants & Refugees
- International
- Justice & Legal
- LGBTQ+
Location
23436 MADERO STE 140MISSION VIEJO, CA 92691 United StatesOrganization Information
Mission Statement
To offer regular visits to immigration detainees and/or a transition program to allow released detainees (asylum seekers) to safely reach their new communities. We offer listening ears and compassionate hearts in an act of friendship to end isolation, and affirm each person's human dignity and worth.
Description
Did you know?
The U.S. operates the worlds largest immigration detention system. On any given day there are up to 34,000 immigrants in detention facilities across the country. Up to 1000 immigrants are being held in detention facilities, right here in Orange County. Detainees can languish for months, sometimes years, away from family and friends, with no visitors, and with limited access to community and legal support.
Who are we?
We are a community of volunteers that offer regular visits to immigration detainees in Orange County. We offer listening ears and compassionate hearts in an act of friendship to end isolation, and affirm each person's human dignity and worth.
Including those who live in the U.S., we currently visit male and female detainees from 49 different countries. The detainees we visit collectively speak 16 different languages, including English, and identify by a variety of faiths, ethnicities, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Since 2013, our volunteers have recorded over 7000 visits!
Where do we visit?
Approved by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, we visit immigration detainees at James A. Musick Facility in the City of Irvine, and Theo Lacy Facility, in the City of Orange.
Visit our website for more information www.friendsofocdetainees.org