Dozens of Somali immigrants are on hunger strike in a US detention centre to protest the threat of repatriation and lengthy detention, a detainee told Idale News Online.
Adan Sheikh Noor who is among dozen other detainees in Florida detention centre after entering US illegally told Idale News on phone that at least 45 Somali asylum seekers went on hunger strike after Somali embassy in that country asked US government to return the asylum seeker to Somalia.
“We are 45 here in this detention centre and we will continue our hunger strike until we are granted our rights,” said Noor. Noor noted they are fighting against extended detention without a possible direction on way forward.
Noor said he started his perilous journey from South Africa and spent over $ 20, 000 dollars to reach the US soil via Mexico.
“I have been struggling to reach the United States as to build my future here in US because we know the situation such as insecurity, jobless and dysfunctional government back home cannot afford us any better living,” noted Noor.
Attempt made by Idale news to reach Somalia’s ambassador Ahmed Issa Awad to US for comment did not bear fruit.
Every year, tens of thousands of African migrants risk their lives to try and enter Europe on unseaworthy boats in search for a better life.
At least 500 Somalis died last month in the Mediterranean heading to Greece from Egypt.
