An individual originally from Edmonton, who resided in the United States for a significant period, recently returned to Canada after spending nine months in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers in Texas. Curtis Wright, aged 40, was detained by ICE upon his return from a business trip to Mexico in November, due to a minor drug possession charge dating back to when he was 17 years old.
Wright, a permanent U.S. resident, expressed his determination to stay in the country to be with his two young sons, aged 8 and 11, who live in Texas. However, after enduring challenging circumstances and legal hurdles, he was eventually deported back to Canada in mid-August. Currently, he is residing temporarily with his fiancée and their two-year-old daughter at his parents’ home in Kelowna, British Columbia.
During an interview with Edmonton AM, Wright shared the difficulties he faced while striving to remain in the U.S. He recounted the events that unfolded upon his return from Mexico, where immigration authorities detained him and initiated a prolonged legal process that ultimately led to his deportation.
Reflecting on his ordeal over the nine months spent in detention, Wright described the unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, substandard food, and mistreatment by security personnel. He highlighted the psychological toll of being subjected to continuous surveillance and the dehumanizing environment aimed at pressuring detainees to give up their legal battles.
Despite exhausting all available legal avenues and garnering support from various political figures and media attention, Wright made the difficult decision to accept deportation to Canada for the well-being of his family. He emphasized the importance of moving forward and starting anew in Canada, where he plans to resume his career in the oil and gas industry, with the support of his employer who is establishing a Canadian division for him.
Looking ahead, Wright is focused on rebuilding his life in Canada, reconnecting with his extended family in Edmonton, and embracing the opportunities for a fresh start in his home country.
