Last Updated on 22 minutes ago by Vijay Kumar
A Canadian-born U.S. permanent resident says he never imagined he would spend months inside an immigration detention center — especially over a decades-old offense.
Curtis Wright, 39, originally from Edmonton, Alberta, is currently being held at the South Texas ICE Processing Center, located about an hour southwest of San Antonio. He has been in custody for nearly four months after being detained upon re-entering the United States.
Speaking from inside the facility in an interview with CTV News, Wright described the emotional toll of separation from his family as the hardest part of his detention.
“Being away from my family has been unbearable,” he said. “None of this feels justified.”
Flagged at Houston Airport After Mexico Trip
Wright, a lawful U.S. permanent resident who works in the oil and gas industry, was taken into custody in early November after being flagged at George Bush Intercontinental Airport while returning from a business trip to Mexico.
According to his family, the detention stems from a misdemeanor drug possession charge dating back more than 20 years, when Wright was 17. His father, Jim Wright, says the charge involved a single Xanax tablet found in his son’s vehicle.
“He’s renewed his green card multiple times since then without any issue,” Jim said. “He’s traveled internationally before and never had a problem.”
Family members say Wright also has two other misdemeanor incidents on record — one involving a firearm registered to his wife that was found in a vehicle he was driving, and another related to impaired driving several years ago. They emphasize that he has since turned his life around.
Despite those past offenses, Wright has lived and worked in Texas for years, supporting his fiancée and three children. His loved ones say the sudden detention has left them stunned.
“Our Whole World Has Been Flipped”
Kayla Thomsen, Wright’s fiancée, says the family has struggled to cope since his arrest. The couple shares an 18-month-old daughter, who, Thomsen says, constantly asks for her father.
“She carries around photos of him and calls out for ‘dada,’” Thomsen said. “It breaks my heart every single day.”
Wright is also the father of two sons from a previous marriage, for whom he shares custody. His family describes him as the primary financial provider.
His mother, Bonnie Wright, says the uncertainty has taken a heavy emotional toll.
“I barely sleep,” she said. “You just keep wondering how this is happening.”
Allegations of Poor Conditions
Wright alleges that conditions inside the detention facility are unsanitary and degrading.
“There’s mold, dirt, grime — it’s run down,” he said. “The food is barely edible. I boil the water before I drink it.”
His family claims that during his first 48 hours in custody, he was provided minimal food and water. They argue that the harsh environment pressures detainees into agreeing to voluntary deportation rather than waiting months for immigration hearings.
“They make it so miserable that people just give up,” his father said. “That’s the feeling.”
Wright says his experience has changed how he views immigration enforcement.
“I used to believe they were focused on dangerous criminals,” he said. “But most of the people I’ve met are just working people trying to support their families.”
Federal Habeas Corpus Challenge Filed
Wright’s legal team has filed a federal habeas corpus petition, arguing that his continued detention violates his constitutional rights. The family hopes a judge will allow him to fight his immigration case from home rather than from inside detention.
They have also launched an online fundraising campaign to cover legal expenses and support other detainees with limited resources.
While waiting for his case to move forward, Wright says he has tried to stay productive — teaching English to fellow detainees and helping others navigate paperwork.
“I’m trying to make something positive out of this,” he said.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.
