‘It was quite traumatic’: Restaurant manager recounts time in ICE detention

Sep 28

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The manager of a Suya Joint—a West African restaurant with locations in Providence and Boston—who was spent more than three months in federal immigration custody Now, he is home and sharing his story.

‘I don’t think it’s me they’re looking for’

June 15 is a day Paul Dama remembers all too well.

“It was a Sunday, just like today,” Dama told 12 News. “I woke up early in the morning, took a shower and was going to go to church.”

After starting his car in Brockton, Massachusetts, Dama noticed an unmarked SUV pass by — a type he recognized as often used by U.S. Immigration and Custody Enforcement (ICE) officials.

“But I said to myself, ‘Even if its them, I don’t think its me they’re looking for,'” he recalled.

Moments later, the SUV began following him. Then four more appeared and surrounded his vehicle.

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“I pulled over. When I did, they all came and barricaded me—blocked me from all sides,” he said. “Then the officers came down. One of them knocked on my window and told me to wind it down, so I did.”

“He asked for my ID, so I brought out my wallet and I gave him my driver’s license. He looked at it and then told me to step out of the car, so I did,” he added. “As soon as I stepped out of the car, he told me that they had a warrant for my arrest from ICE.”

Dama was stunned. His asylum application was still pending, and all of his documents were up to date.

ICE agents then handcuffed him, took his belongings and placed him in an SUV. Dama said he was later shackled him with chains around his legs and waist.

“I didn’t resist. I didn’t ask any questions, ” he said. “All that was on my mind was, ‘Okay I need to call my lawyer.'”

Because he had cooperated, Dama was allowed to make calls at the ICE Boston Field Office before being transferred to the Strafford County Department of Corrections in New Hampshire — where he remained for the rest of the summer.

‘It seemed like forever‘

“I was there for three months. It seemed like forever,” Dama said. “It was quite traumatic. It was stressful because I have never been locked up for this long before in my life—never been to jail before.”

According to Dama, detainees were restricted to one area of the facility and could not go outside, though they were allowed to contact family and attorneys through tablets. The food was “OK,” he said, but the atmosphere was often filled with negativity and hopelessness.

Some detainees had no support system, no resources, or could not afford legal representation. Dama himself was denied bond at his July 10 hearing.

“At some points, I didn’t think I was going to step foot on American soil again,” Paul recalled. “Seeing what was happening, people were just getting deported. I didn’t think I stood a chance.”

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Community support

He tried to encourage fellow detainees not to give up and even referred some to his own lawyer.

Dama was represented by Attles Law Group, a Massachusetts-based immigration firm, which prepared him for his asylum hearing.

Meanwhile, his sister, Cecelia Lizotte, who owns both Suya Joint restaurants, and countless others raised awareness and funds on his behalf.

“She kept telling me about the kind of support she was getting from out there. The kind of support from people from all over the place, strangers, people I didn’t know. People I’ve never met before,” Dama said.

Even as Dama felt worn down, those reminders gave him the confidence to persevere.

“It meant so much to me. It still means a lot to me right now,” he said. “Knowing that I have that kind of support system out there was what really encouraged me and gave me the strength to carry on.”

‘Freedom at last’

Last week, an immigration judge granted Dama asylum. He reunited with his family on Thursday, Sept. 25.

“I just told them my story,” he explained. “I just told the judge my story, exactly what happened to me.”

In court, Dama described how he had been targeted in his home country of Nigeria, where he worked as a journalist. He said he was kidnapped by extremists from Boko Haram, who accused him of using the media to expose their activities.

His family eventually paid a ransom for his release, but Boko Haram warned him to quit journalism or leave the country, threatening his life if he continued reporting.

“In the beginning, after the judge read the verdict, I didn’t believe what I heard,” Dama said.

Back in his cell, detainees asked how the hearing went, but he was too in shock to answer. When he finally shared the news, he said “the whole place erupted with claps and shouts.”

That celebration continued when he stepped into Suya Joint for the first time in months, where friends, family, and staff welcomed him back.

“It feels great to be out,” Dama told his attorney. “It’s freedom at last. I never thought I was going to see this day, but it’s finally here.”

Looking ahead

Dama said the experience and the support he received has compelled him to rededicate his time to serving his community. He also plans to advocate for others still in detention.

The next legal step will be to apply for a Green Card after one year on asylum status. After five years, he will be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.

“I am glad I was finally able to make it out,” Dama said. “I hope and I pray for everybody who is still there, fighting their case, that they are also successful.”

Jusolyn Flower