North Carolina
Wendell woman shares experience at an immigration detention center after being released
WENDELL, N.C. (WTVD) — A Wendell woman, detained by Border Patrol for more than a month, is sharing her experience at an immigration detention center after being released earlier this week.
Fatima Velazquez-Antonio was detained by Border Patrol agents on Nov. 18 while at an HVAC job site in Raleigh. For the last month, she stayed at a detention center in Georgia.
After having bond denied, she was finally released on Monday, and returned home to North Carolina on Tuesday. Her attorney had to file a habeas corpus petition, asking a judge to determine whether her detainment was legal.
“I’m so happy to be back home with my family,” said Velazquez.
It felt like an eternity.
– Fatima Velazquez-Antonio, on her month in immigration detention
Her boyfriend, Bryan Sanchez, said her return home was the greatest Christmas gift they could have asked for.
“I mean, it’s amazing that we got her back home,” he said.
Fatima Velazquez-Antonio came to the U.S. from Honduras as an unaccompanied minor at 14.
Velazquez came to the U.S. from Honduras as an unaccompanied minor at 14.
According to federal documents, Velazquez has no aggravated felony convictions, and the government identified her detainment as involving a non-criminal individual.
As previously reported, Velazquez’s attorney said Velazquez has no criminal record, and said she was allowed to stay in the country as her asylum case processed.
ABC11 asked Velazquez whether she received any explanation as to why she was detained.
“No, no one gave me any explanation,” she said.
For the last month, Velazquez said she spent 24 hours a day in a room with 60 other women.
“When you go to the bathroom, you have no privacy. It’s the same thing when you have to bathe. Everyone can see you,” she said. “It’s hard.”
Velazquez said her faith kept her strong.
“I prayed to God every day. Every day after I woke up and before I went to bed,” she said. “I asked him to help me, give me patience, and give me the strength to get through my ordeal. But it felt like an eternity.”
She said seeing the support from people in Wake County also helped her get through her time at the detention center, including a rally held by neighbors and elected leaders calling for her release.
“All the community and the governor, the congresswoman. I mean, all of that support helped a lot,” said Sanchez. “We appreciate that a lot, with all my heart.”
Velazquez said she hopes that one day she can personally thank everyone who has shared her story and called for her release.
“I know many of them didn’t know me, but I have to thank them from the bottom of my heart for their support,” she said. “Just, thank you so much. One day, I’d like to see them and thank them in person.”
Velazquez and her family are raising money to cover her legal expenses.
Sanchez is saving up money again to eventually buy her an engagement ring. The money he was saving for the ring had to be spent to retain an attorney for her.
Velazquez has a hearing next week for her case.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Fire crews are responding to a brush fire near Howard Gap Road in Hendersonville on Friday evening.
The fire is across the street from the Ebenezer Baptist Church and near the Highlands Square Shopping Center.
Henderson County Fire Marshal Glen Gillette said crews are fighting “blowdown from Helene.”
NEW WILDFIRES IGNITE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FOREST AMID WORSENING DROUGHT
Around 11 p.m., the fire appears larger than it did an hour ago because crews are backburning, which refers to using fire to help control the wildfire.
Dana Fire Department Chief Jimmy Womack said that what was a 3-acre fire an hour ago will be an 8-acre fire due to back burning. He said the fire is 80% contained.
Womack said the cause of the fire is unknown, but one of the conditions contributing to the blaze is the Helene blowdown.
“There’s a lot of blowdown in these woods behind us. That’s what creates most of the problem,” said Womack.
Womack said there has been no property damage and no injuries have been reported for this fire in the woods that 24 personnel are fighting. They got the call to arrive at 6:05 p.m.
LOCAL NEWS
Dana Fire and Rescue and Henderson County Fire Department are supporting the U.S. Forest Service with this fire.
Glen said no structures are threatened at this time and Howard Gap Road is closed.
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This story will be updated as new information is discovered.
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