Karim Golding

Karim Golding, a Jamaican immigrant, faced a life-altering experience in the US when wrongfully arrested in 2006 during the "War on Drugs" as a target of the “Hip-Hop Police.” After years of incarceration, Karim obtained a certificate in paralegal studies, which helped him to get some convictions vacated, and his 30-year conviction was changed to time served. However, he was transferred to a harsh ICE detention in 2016, where he remained for 5 years. Contracting COVID-19 twice in 2020 while housed in Etowah County jail in Alabama, enduring solitary confinement, Karim stepped up his advocacy for detained immigrants' rights, gaining national attention in several publications such as Rolling Stone, and The Intercept. With support from immigrant rights organizations and Tik-Tokers, Karim was able to help hundreds of families reunite. He eventually secured his release in 2021. Karim also played a role in stopping ICE's contract with the Etowah detention center. Today, he continues his advocacy efforts through “The Law Library,” helping both migrants and US citizens with legal work, credit repair, and business credit building while passionately advocating for systemic criminal justice and immigration reform.