Snap Judgment The Pencil Factory
Dec 18, 2025
A family finds themselves trapped inside a rusty pencil factory in the jungle after seeking asylum in the U.S. A YouTuber discovers their plight and becomes their lifeline, revealing the harrowing conditions they face. As the family grapples with panic and despair, moments of hope arise during visits to the city. With the support of a Quaker community, they start to heal, learning a new language and embracing joy again. Their story sheds light on the larger issue of third-country deportations, highlighting the struggles of many in similar situations.
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Discovery At The Pencil Factory
- Kaya drove seven hours to a remote pencil factory to investigate 200 people flown from the U.S. to Costa Rica.
- He found a rusty compound called CATEM and met detainees through a hole in the fence, including German.
Reporting Through A Hole And A Drone
- Kaya used a drone and a cardboard "press/prensa" sign to contact detainees and got blocked by police.
- He nonetheless connected by phone and began exchanging videos with German inside CATEM.
Why German Fled Russia
- German fled Russia after filming election fraud and feared conscription to the war in Ukraine.
- He tried to seek asylum in the U.S. but was detained and later deported to Costa Rica without consent.