A Philadelphia drag queen's community is rallying for her release from ICE
Share
A Philadelphia-based drag queen was detained by U.S ICE officials. Now locals are calling on the community to rally together to help with her legal proceedings.
Performer Chantal Waldorf, an immigrant from Nicaragua, was taken into custody, according to a message posted to her official Instagram account.
“As you know, since he arrived in this country, he has dedicated himself to being a hardworking person, who has dedicated himself to fulfilling his dreams and goals, who has integrated and contributed in a positive way to society, fulfilling his obligations like everyone else,” the message reads.
“Unfortunately, today he has been arrested and is in the custody of ICE, sadly the constant fear of deportation today is coming true for Chantal and the frustration of not being able to fulfill all his dreams and stop doing what he likes most: turning his creative imagination of fashion into reality and doing drag are being taken away from him, however he still has the conviction to fight for his place in this country.”
Friends and loved ones have set up a Cash App fundraiser to help cover Chantal’s release and legal fees.
Chantal’s detention comes amid President Trump’s deployment and funding of immigration agents across the country, pushing them to make thousands of daily arrests. The decision has sparked protests from communities and families affected by violent raids. Tensions only soared after stops resulted in tragic fatal encounters with ICE officials.
This includes 52-year-old Mexican resident Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and 25-year-old Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero from Colombia. Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti from Minneapolis, Minnesota, were also killed in separate incidents. Both were 37 years old and US citizens.
Last year, San Francisco drag artist Hilary Rivers was detained by ICE while outside an immigration courtroom following a court hearing. After almost three months in immigration custody, she was granted asylum and released.