Donald Trump Campaign - On Assignment For The Associated Press

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Macon Centreplex, Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, in Macon, Ga.  (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

A man, silhouetted against an American flag, hands out tickets to people to see Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speak at a campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 30, 2015 at the Macon Centreplex in Macon, Ga.  (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

People hold up signs as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump walks on stage during a campaign rally at the Macon Centreplex, Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, in Macon, Ga.  (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Former Macon Mayor C. Jack Ellis protests outside of the Macon Centreplex in Macon, Ga. where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is set to hold a campaign rally.  (Ap Photo/Branden Camp)

A man is silhouetted against the sky, Monday, Nov. 30, 2015 at the Macon Centreplex in Macon, Ga. where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is set to hold a campaign rally .  (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Macon Centreplex, Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, in Macon, Ga.  (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Election pins of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump sit on display before a campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 30, 2015 at the Macon Centreplex in Macon, Ga.  (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump signs autographs after speaking at a campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 30, 2015 at the Macon Centreplex in Macon, Ga.  (AP Photo/Branden Camp)

On Assignment for Boston Globe

With the presidential election drawing closer, more and more assignments are focused around presidential candidates and campaign rallies.  

The Boston Globe asked me to go to Ellijay, Ga. to photograph Ted Cruz supporter Joe McCutchen.  I ended up spending the whole day following McCutchen around town.  McCutchen believes Cruz will win the Republican nomination through talk radio as well as small business owners coming together to promote Cruz.  After spending the day around town, we ended the day with a quick portrait session at his home.  Here are the photos from my assignment.

Joe McCutchen, supporter of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, poses for a portrait at his home, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Joe McCutchen is reflected in the window of a local business that is promoting Republican presidential candidate Tex Cruz, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga. 

Joe McCutchen carries an election sign promoting Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Joe McCutchen, supporter of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, is reflected in a mirror while visiting City Barber Shop in downtown Ellijay, Ga., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015.  BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Joe McCutchen, supporter of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, laughs with his barber Marcelle Lowry at City Barber Shop, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

A man reads a newspaper while he waits to get his hair cut at the City Barber Shop in downtown Ellijay, Ga. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Joe McCutchen, supporter of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, shouts "Cruz for President" after eating lunch at Poole's BBQ, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in Ellijay, Ga.  McCutchen and other supporters hope to host a visit from Ted Cruz at Poole's BBQ in early 2016. BRANDEN CAMP FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

A look back at Veterans Day 2015

Nov. 11, 2015 - Marietta, Ga, U.S - A woman walks through Marietta National Cemetery on Veterans Day. (Credit Image: © Branden Camp via ZUMA Wire)

Nov. 11, 2015 - Marietta, Ga, U.S - GEORGE ESSAFF holds a flag during a Veterans Day parade. (Credit Image: © Branden Camp via ZUMA Wire)

Nov. 11, 2015 - Marietta, Ga, U.S - DAVID THOMAS, a Vietnam War Army veteran, salutes during a parade on Veterans Day. Thomas deployed to Vietnam from 1970-71. (Credit Image: © Branden Camp via ZUMA Wire)

Nov. 11, 2015 - Powder Springs, Ga, U.S - A photo of Vietnam War Army veteran DAVID THOMAS, bottom right, is displayed in a photo album along with other photos that were taken in Vietnam. Thomas deployed to Vietnam from 1970-71. (Credit Image: © Branden Camp via ZUMA Wire)

Nov. 11, 2015 - Marietta, Ga, U.S - JACK PORTER, 74, visits the grave of his brother who was killed in action while serving in Vietnam. (Credit Image: © Branden Camp via ZUMA Wire)

Hillary Campaigns in Atlanta

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spoke at Clark Atlanta University during an ''African Americans for Hillary'' grassroots event in Atlanta on Friday.  Hundreds showed up early in hopes of hearing the presidential hopeful speak.

View fullsize

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks at Clark Atlanta University during an "African Americans for Hillary" grassroots event in Atlanta, Friday, Oct. 30, 2015.  Members of "Black Lives Matter" interrupted Clinton during her speech and were eventually removed. (Photo by Branden Camp)

View fullsize

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton approaches the podium at Clark Atlanta University during an "African Americans for Hillary" grassroots event in Atlanta. (Photo by Branden Camp)

View fullsize

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks at Clark Atlanta University during an "African Americans for Hillary" grassroots event in Atlanta, Friday, Oct. 30, 2015.  (Photo by Branden Camp)

View fullsize

A police officer holds people back as they line up to see Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton speak at an "African Americans for Hillary" grassroots event at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Friday, Oct. 30, 2015.  (Photo by Branden Camp)

View fullsize

As the time drew closer for Clinton to speak, crowds began to grow impatient. Officers had to hold the crowds back.  Students and members of the public waited for as long as four hours to see Clinton speak at Clark Atlanta University.  (Photo by Branden Camp)

El Refugio

View fullsize

Volunteer Jason Muhlenkamp places a sign in front of El Refugio, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in Lumpkin, Ga

Lumpkin, Ga. - A small yellow house sits right off Main Street with a short dirt driveway wrapping around to the back. A small car parked outside has a bumper sticker that reads, “No Human Being is Illegal.”

Entering through the backdoor, a metal road sign leans against the wall that reads “El Refugio.” Empty, large bags that once held unroasted coffee beans from all over the world hang on the walls, accompanied by maps of South America and various other parts of the world.  

A kind man reaches out his hand and introduces himself as Amilcar Valencia. He came to the U.S. in 2010 on a fiancé visa, married his wife Katie Valencia two months later and obtained a green card shortly after.  Amilcar Valencia became a citizen this year after being in the U.S. for five years. 

For many of those being detained, their first impression of America is Stewart Detention Center, a small building with tiny windows surrounded by barbed wire with a row of prisoner buses lined up against a wall of thick trees that hide the facility from the outside world.

Immigration lawyer Azadeh Shahshahani said it is like Stewart is trying to hide the facility's existence.

View fullsize

A tower marks the entrance to Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Ga.

Katie Valencia, Amilcar’s wife, briefs a group of volunteers from Emory University in Atlanta.  She gives the statistic of more than a 90 percent deportation rate. The 1750 bed facility, more like purgatory, is currently holding nearly 1900 detainees awaiting their fate.

Most of the detainees are brought here straight from the border. Nearly 95 percent of immigrants have no legal representation and have no knowledge of U.S. law. Yet, they must represent themselves in Stewart’s local, internal court.

They have access to a library where they can learn the legal system. But first, they must learn to read in English.

View fullsize

Emory University student Debra Kozowski, left, listens as Katie Valencia, center, holding her son Oscar, briefs other volunteers on visits they will be making to Stewart Detention Center , Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in Lumpkin, Ga. (Photo by Branden Camp)

Emory University student Debra Kozowski speaks up as the orientation is coming to an end, asking if anyone would partner with her during the visit today, because her Spanish is quite rusty.

“Things like this are intentionally hidden and kept away from people like me,” Kozowski said. After a recent trip to Uganda, Kozowski realized there is a part of her that is drawn to uncomfortable situations.

After seeing how big the world is outside of her backyard, Kozowski finds herself wanting to understand different cultures and help those who face unjust circumstances here in the U.S.

Emory University students during an orientation at El Refugio, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in Lumpkin, Ga. (Photo by Branden Camp)

Amilcar Valencia continues the orientation. Many of the detainees come to America seeking refuge and a chance at life in the land of the free.

“They may be here escaping violence in Central America,” Amilcar Valencia said.

A recent report by the Detention Watch Network (DWN) described the conditions as “inhumane.”  Meals were suspended. Hunger strikes occurred. Religious services were reportedly suspended.  

“We are deeply concerned for people currently detained at Stewart,” Silky Shah, co-director of the Detention Watch Network, said. “As communication in and out of the facility has been limited, it has been difficult to monitor the situation.”

Amilcar Valencia gathers with a group of Emory University Students at El Refugio, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in Lumpkin, Ga. (Photo by Branden Camp)

The first round of volunteers pack into an SUV and make the drive to Stewart.

The 4-minute drive brings you to CCA Road. All the signs guiding you to the facility are in Spanish when you enter and translated in English as you exit.

This makes sense. If one is leaving, most likely they are either a legal English-speaking person on their way home, or an immigrant being deported and at that point, the sign reading “Immigration Law Offices” no longer applies.

“Because of policy of enforcement, they are really going after those who may have old convictions,” Katie Valencia said.  Many detainees are being held for past crimes that they have already served time for.

The Washington Post reported in 2013 that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began to go after legal immigrants for crimes that could affect their legal status. One way to justify detaining immigrants is the “bed mandate” that requires 34,000 beds be filled per day in immigration facilities throughout the country.

View fullsize

Amilcar Valencia joins the volunteer team from Emory University during an orientation at El Refugio, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in Lumpkin, Ga.

Detainees have no control when they are in Stewart. When people visit, this is an opportunity for the detainees to speak their mind.

“There are just a couple of things they control,” Amilcar Valencia said. “This is one of them.”

Volunteer Jason Muhlenkamp has visited Stewart many times. He speaks of one detainee he has visited on multiple occasions.  

“I will practice my Spanish on him, and he will practice his English on me,” Muhlenkamp said.  Though he knows little of their language, he knows a light needs to be shown on the issue of immigration in America.

On the visit today, Muhlenkamp met with a 23-year-old detainee from El Salvador who fled to America seeking asylum after his life was threatened.

“He was caught up in the wrong political party,” Muhlenkamp said.

After being extorted on a daily basis, the young, well-spoken college graduate decided he needed to flee for his life.  He fled to America, was detained at the border and, like many others, will wait for the court to decide his fate.

Some are deported in weeks; some in years. For families and friends who do visit, “This is most likely the last time they will see their loved ones for a very long time”, Katie Valencia said. “They most likely are saying goodbye.”