#LetSulmaStay
Donation protected
LGBTQ Deportation = Death
Sulma was born and raised in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Six years ago, she began her journey to the United States and away from her abusive stepfather. While it was difficult to leave her family, she knew that survival for her meant leaving her home country and seeking refuge elsewhere because her work as an LGBTQ activist had put her in danger. In 2009 Sulma fled to Texas, was detained by ICE and sent to the Hutto detention center in Taylor, TX. Four months later Sulma had proven credible fear and was released from Hutto as an asylee. At this point Sulma had a renewable work permit contingent on her visits to ICE offices once every three months that was until one day on June 25, 2014 when she was detained once again during a routine check in with ICE. She was then sent to Eloy Detention Center in Arizona where she spent 8 horrific months. The officials there questioned her sexuality and then separated her because of her LGBTQ identity.
Thanks to the community pressure and a $15,000 bond Sulma was released back to her family in Austin, Texas--- but the nightmare is not over as ICE has an order for her deportation. Sulma sought sanctuary on June 11th, 2015 and has been at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Austin since then fighting to stay home. We need your help to keep Sulma home, any amount of money you donate will help with the many associated expenses.
LGBTQ DEPORTATION = DEATH
Sign Sulma's Petition
Sulma was born and raised in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Six years ago, she began her journey to the United States and away from her abusive stepfather. While it was difficult to leave her family, she knew that survival for her meant leaving her home country and seeking refuge elsewhere because her work as an LGBTQ activist had put her in danger. In 2009 Sulma fled to Texas, was detained by ICE and sent to the Hutto detention center in Taylor, TX. Four months later Sulma had proven credible fear and was released from Hutto as an asylee. At this point Sulma had a renewable work permit contingent on her visits to ICE offices once every three months that was until one day on June 25, 2014 when she was detained once again during a routine check in with ICE. She was then sent to Eloy Detention Center in Arizona where she spent 8 horrific months. The officials there questioned her sexuality and then separated her because of her LGBTQ identity.
Thanks to the community pressure and a $15,000 bond Sulma was released back to her family in Austin, Texas--- but the nightmare is not over as ICE has an order for her deportation. Sulma sought sanctuary on June 11th, 2015 and has been at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Austin since then fighting to stay home. We need your help to keep Sulma home, any amount of money you donate will help with the many associated expenses.
LGBTQ DEPORTATION = DEATH
Sign Sulma's Petition
Organizer and beneficiary
Deborah Alemu
Organizer
Austin, TX
Sulma Carina Franco Chamale
Beneficiary
