Greggy Sorio is still recovering from his toe amputation after he contracted ulcerative colitis while being detained. He expects to be deported any day now.
TACOMA, Wash. — Filipino community activists rallied outside the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma on Thursday, demanding immigration officials halt the deportation of a legal permanent resident they say is facing a medical crisis.
Greggy Sorio, known as Kuya G — Tagalog for “Big Brother G” — was told Tuesday he would be placed on the next flight to the Philippines, according to Filipino advocacy groups like Tanggol Migrante that have spent months fighting his deportation.
“Right now there is a Filipino who is in a medical crisis,” said Noah Ajeto, a representative of Bayan Washington, a Filipino community organization. “It’s a life-or-death situation.”
Osorio, 37, has been detained at the Tacoma facility for 10 months after being transferred from an Alaska Department of Corrections facility.
During his detention, he developed ulcerative colitis and a severe bone infection that required amputation of his pinky toe in two separate surgeries in late October.
Ajeto, who visited Sorio on Wednesday night, said the detainee remains unable to walk. His amputation wound remains open and swollen.
“He was shaking, he still can’t walk,” Ajeto said. “He’s having other problems with his breathing. He can’t move his thumb anymore.”
Supporters fear Sorio’s colitis could develop into colon cancer and say he won’t receive adequate medical care if deported to the Philippines, where he hasn’t lived since 2007.
Advocates allege ICE medical staff removed Sorio’s stitches prematurely to speed his deportation, a claim ICE has not confirmed. They’re also frustrated with the Philippine Consulate, which they say has failed to adequately support Sorio or provide documentation needed to argue for his stay in the United States.
“They have blood on their hands,” Ajeto said of consulate officials.
The activists acknowledge Sorio does have a criminal history, but says no one deserves to be denied medical care.
“Whether you’ve made mistakes in your past or not, no one deserves to be treated like this in these types of facilities,” Ajeto said.
ICE did not respond to requests for comment about Sorio’s detention or the medical care allegations.
If deported, supporters say they’ll try to travel with him to the Philippines to help ensure he receives proper care.
