The Trump Administration’s efforts to deport more unauthorized immigrants have led to protests in major cities across the United States. Evidence of stepped-up immigration enforcement can also be seen at the U.S.-Canada border. But it’s not always drawing protests or media attention.

A family of six at the Blaine border crossing was detained earlier this year. The family, originally from southwestern Africa, was held by Customs and Border Protection in a windowless cell, with a toilet, for more than three weeks – with no news stories and few people aware of their situation. 

The ACLU is now involved in the case.

Guest: Troy Brynelson, reporter for Oregon Public Broadcasting

Related Links:

‘Like a jail cell’: Family of six detained at Washington state border facility for more than three weeks

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The Trump Administration&rsquo;s efforts to deport more unauthorized immigrants have led to protests in major cities across the United States. Evidence of stepped-up immigration enforcement can also be seen at the U.S.-Canada border. But it&rsquo;s not always drawing protests or media attention.
A family of six at the Blaine border crossing was detained earlier this year. The family, originally from southwestern Africa, was held by Customs and Border Protection in a windowless cell, with a toilet, for more than three weeks &ndash; with no news stories and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/family-of-6-detained-at-wa-border-facility-for-more-than-3-weeks/">few people aware of their situation</a>.&nbsp;
The ACLU is now involved in the case.
Guest:&nbsp;Troy Brynelson, reporter for Oregon Public Broadcasting
Related Links:
<a href="https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/28/like-a-jail-cell-family-of-six-detained-at-washington-state-border-facility-for-more-than-three-weeks/">&lsquo;Like a jail cell&rsquo;: Family of six detained at Washington state border facility for more than three weeks</a><a href="mailto:?subject=%E2%80%98Like%20a%20jail%20cell%E2%80%99:%20Family%20of%20six%20detained%20at%20Washington%20state%20border%20facility%20for%20more%20than%20three%20weeks&amp;body=https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/28/like-a-jail-cell-family-of-six-detained-at-washington-state-border-facility-for-more-than-three-weeks/" aria-label="share by email"></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/28/like-a-jail-cell-family-of-six-detained-at-washington-state-border-facility-for-more-than-three-weeks/" aria-label="share to facebook"></a><a href="https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/28/like-a-jail-cell-family-of-six-detained-at-washington-state-border-facility-for-more-than-three-weeks/" aria-label="share to bluesky"></a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/28/like-a-jail-cell-family-of-six-detained-at-washington-state-border-facility-for-more-than-three-weeks/" aria-label="share to linkedin"></a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

The Trump Administration’s efforts to deport more unauthorized immigrants have led to protests in major cities across the United States. Evidence of stepped-up immigration enforcement can also be seen at the U.S.-Canada border. But it’s not always drawing protests or media attention.

Advertisement