Mustapha Speaks Out

“Life” for immigrants detained at the Butler County Jail on civil immigration matters is just as cold and meager as for anyone detained on criminal charges. They are kept in their cells 22 hours a day, given food no one would feed an enemy, and only one pair of underwear a week. People with chronic health conditions — even life-threatening and debilitating ones — do not get medical care. They are regularly treated with violence and disrespect.

For Muslims, freedom of religious is also a right they rarely receive. Listen to Mustapha Komeh talk about his time at the Butler County Jail in these testimonies, recorded in August 2025 (part one, part two) and read the transcripts (part one, part two).

Mustapha was callously deported away from his children and family during the first Trump administration. He is part of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance’s #ReuniteUS campaign, and is included in “Broken Hope: Deportation and the Road Home,” which you can read for free.