In an assembly of support and solidarity, neighbors and friends in Cobb County came together yesterday to call for the release of Osnei Lima from ICE custody. Lima, who was arrested on April 30 and sent to an ICE detention center in Mississippi, is described by those who know him as an upstanding member of the community.
During the gathering at a local apartment complex clubhouse, participants wrote letters to Georgia’s two U.S. senators and Governor Brian Kemp, to seek assistance in securing Lima's release. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Lima's family is concerned about his health, as he suffers from a heart condition and may not be receiving adequate medical treatment. "I haven't been to Brazil for 26 years, so you can imagine this is home," Sandra Lima, Osnei's wife, told the news outlet. Sandra herself was released after a 15-day detainment, but her husband remains in custody, evident of an immigration system that can appear to indiscriminately ensnare individuals without clear justification.
Neighbors and friends spoke highly of the Limas, who run a cleaning business and are actively involved in their church community. Ellen Rocha, a neighbor who has known the family for nearly two decades, expressed confusion over the ICE action, saying, "These aren't criminals." In a FOX 5 Atlanta interview, she highlighted the Trump administration's stated focus on criminal illegal migrants and stressed not seeing the connection to the Limas’ situation.
The couple's son, Juan Lima, emphasized his parents’ commitment to their community and clean record. "Look at my parents, look at my mom, look at my dad. Is this the kind of people that that has been claimed to go after?" Juan questioned during an interview. His father's health issues include chronic back pain and a heart condition, adding to the family's worry during his detention. Despite requests for release based on his medical conditions, ICE has denied parole, as detailed by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Further complicating matters, East Cobb News reports that Osnei was transferred without warning to Mississippi, and details about the Limas’ situation remain vague. It's understood the couple emigrated from Brazil in 1999, yet specifics regarding their detention have not been fully elucidated. Juan, withholding certain information for caution, emphasized belief in rapid intervention for his father's release. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page initiated by Juan for legal expenses has raised over $53,000 for the family's cause.
