JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Helplessness, fear and anxiety. That’s how one United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainee described his 29 days inside a Northeast Florida detention center, where he says he’s had no timeline, no clear answers, and difficulty finding legal help.
Macario Pablo-Reyes, 49, has been held for weeks at the state-run immigration facility at the Baker County Correctional Institute, sometimes referred to as the “Deportation Depot.”
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In a rare moment, Pablo-Reyes spoke to News4JAX in a phone interview from the facility to share his story.
His relatives also told News4JAX they have struggled to get updates from ICE, raising questions about communication with detainees, access to legal resources and how long immigrants can remain in detention while awaiting removal.
“I’ve been locked up in here for almost four weeks, and I still don’t know what’s going to happen to me because there’s no one to give you information,” Pablo-Reyes said in a phone interview on Monday that News4JAX translated from Spanish to English.
Detained after immigration appointment, family says
Pablo-Reyes’ family said he went to an immigration appointment on Jan. 8, believing it was related to renewing his work permit. Instead, they said, he was taken into custody immediately and told he would be deported to Mexico.
Pablo-Reyes said he is not fighting deportation, but is frustrated by the lack of information about the timing of his removal.
“Because I’m just wasting time here,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going on with me. Nobody gives me information.”
Pablo-Reyes said he has lived in the United States for more than 20 years and has worked in construction. He has lived in Jacksonville and in Clay County, his family said. He said he wants to return to Mexico but remains detained and separated from his family, including his sons, 16 and 19.
Concerns about legal access and case updates
Pablo-Reyes said he has tried calling numbers posted inside the facility for legal assistance but has not been able to reach anyone.
“There are many signs on the walls here that say there’s legal assistance, but the information is useless,” he said. “You call, and nobody answers.”
He added that other detainees also appear uncertain about what will happen next.
“Many people here don’t know what’s going to happen to them,” Pablo-Reyes said.
A Jacksonville immigration attorney who represents multiple clients at the Baker County facility told News4JAX that she has heard similar complaints from detainees who are unsure of the status of their cases. The attorney said the immigration system is overwhelmed, which may be contributing to delays.
Family says emails went unanswered
Pablo-Reyes’ stepdaughter, Alexandria Ventre, said the family repeatedly emailed ICE seeking information and received few responses over the past weeks.
“No responses from the immigration field office,” Ventre said. “They continuously either ignore the emails or they say that the family’s concerns have been forwarded to his ICE case manager or case worker.”
Ventre said she also has been unable to locate her stepfather through ICE’s online detainee locator, which is designed to help families find people in immigration custody. A new bill moving through the Florida Legislature aims to fix the issue.
Ventre provided News4JAX copies of emails she said she sent to ICE about those concerns.
After News4JAX requested a comment from ICE on Pablo-Reyes’ case on Wednesday, Ventre said an ICE supervisor called her the same day and stated that Pablo-Reyes is expected to be transferred to another facility, most likely in Texas, on Saturday, and that ICE is trying to expedite the process.
Ventre questioned why detainees can remain in custody for extended periods when deportation decisions have already been made. She said the family was not given an opportunity to arrange travel.
“We understand the reason behind the final deportation order. We are not fighting it,” Ventre said. “The concern at this point is why he’s being held in this facility.”
ICE statement
ICE confirmed in a statement that it arrested Pablo-Reyes on Jan. 8 and said he remains in custody pending removal proceedings. ICE said it considers him removable under U.S. immigration law based on his immigration history and prior encounters with law enforcement. News4JAX has not independently verified the criminal history described by ICE.
ICE also said detainees have access to phones to contact family members and attorneys and are provided with a court-approved list of free or low-cost legal service providers. ICE said detainees receive “full due process.”