PORTLAND, Ore. — In late October, Jackie Merlos walked out of the ICE detention facility after four long months inside, and into the arms of her good friend, Mimi Lettunich.
“I had a dream last night that I’d get released today,” she said to Lettunich in a video from that afternoon.
Friends then drove Merlos down to Portland, where she reunited with her four children, who were overjoyed — and surprised — to see their mother. They didn’t know if — or when — she would finally be home…