An individual from Edmonton who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has returned to Canada after a prolonged period in custody. Curtis Wright, a 40-year-old Edmonton native with deep ties to the United States, was held by ICE in Texas for nine months following a trip to Mexico in November. Despite being a U.S. permanent resident, the detention stemmed from a minor drug possession offense when he was 17.
Driven by a desire to be with his two young sons living in Texas, aged 8 and 11, Wright fought to stay in the U.S. However, he was ultimately deported to Canada in mid-August. Currently residing with his fiancée and toddler daughter in Kelowna, B.C., Wright recently shared his challenging detention experience in an interview on Edmonton AM.
Upon his return from Mexico, Wright was detained at the airport and faced a series of interrogations and legal proceedings. Despite never encountering such issues during his numerous previous visits to the U.S., Wright was informed that he would be detained until a court hearing scheduled for December, which was later postponed multiple times.
The detainment conditions were described as deplorable, with poor hygiene, overcrowding, and mistreatment by security personnel. Feeling pressured to give up his legal battle, Wright decided to voluntarily return to Canada after eight months of intense legal battles and uncertainty, aiming to reunite with his family in Edmonton.
Looking ahead, Wright plans to resume his career in the oil and gas industry in Edmonton, where his employer is establishing a Canadian division for him. Grateful for the support from loved ones and colleagues, Wright is focused on rebuilding his life in Canada after a challenging chapter in the U.S. detention system.