Martin Soto

Synopsis

Martin Soto is a father and landscaper from Peru who was detained by ICE while walking home after buying diapers for his four-year-old child, according to reporting by Migrant Insider and America Magazine. His wife, Gabriela Soto, is a U.S. citizen who has lived in the United States for more than 20 years. The family lives in Kearny, New Jersey, across the Passaic River from Delaney Hall in Newark. By early June 2026, Soto had been held at Delaney Hall for nearly five months. Gabriela Soto visited him on May 19, 2026, days before detainees inside the GEO Group–operated facility launched a coordinated hunger and labor strike on May 22. Reporting describes Soto as one of the most visible organizers of that strike. After he began organizing inside, advocates and family say he faced prolonged interrogations and threats before being abruptly removed from the facility. Protesters outside—who had been warned a white van was coming for him—blocked the vehicle; witnesses reported seeing Soto dragged into it while he shouted and struck the window from inside. As of late May 2026, his family did not know where he had been taken. America Magazine reported that on May 25, 2026, Soto was transferred to disciplinary segregation—solitary confinement—at a detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey, a move that further intensified protests outside Delaney Hall. Gabriela Soto has joined months of demonstrations alongside activists from Eyes on ICE, describing visitation conditions as depressing and traumatic for their children. Migrant Insider reported that a court had authorized Soto's release, but that he remained in federal custody. This profile summarizes published reporting; location and legal status may change.

Key takeaways

From court records, news reporting, and linked sources below.

  1. ICE detained Martin Soto while he was walking home after buying diapers for his four-year-old; his wife Gabriela Soto is a U.S. citizen from Peru who has lived in the United States for over 20 years (America Magazine, Migrant Insider).
  2. By June 2026 he had been held at Delaney Hall in Newark for nearly five months; the family lives in Kearny, New Jersey.
  3. Soto became one of the most visible organizers of the May 22, 2026 hunger and labor strike involving roughly 300 detainees at Delaney Hall (Migrant Insider).
  4. After organizing inside, reporting describes prolonged interrogations and threats, then his abrupt removal in a white van while protesters blocked the vehicle; witnesses said he shouted and struck the window from inside (Migrant Insider).
  5. As of late May 2026, his family did not know where federal authorities had transferred him (Migrant Insider).
  6. On May 25, 2026, he was moved to disciplinary segregation at a detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey (America Magazine).
  7. Migrant Insider reported that a court had authorized his release, but that he remained in ICE custody.
  8. Gabriela Soto visited on May 19 and described cafeteria-style visits supervised by guards, long waits, and guards forcibly separating their daughter from her father when saying goodbye (America Magazine).
  9. The couple were expecting their third child while Soto remained detained (America Magazine).
  10. Rep. Adriano Espaillat told media that at least 13 detainees were transferred out of Delaney Hall shortly after the strike began, which he characterized as retaliation (Migrant Insider).

Reference links

Related

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