Help Jose Bello Fight Deportation
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Last year, while driving to work in the fields, Jose Bello was pulled over by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Jose, a 21-year-old student at Bakersfield College, was brought to the United States as a toddler and dreamed of becoming an advocate and, eventually, a lawyer. Suddenly those dreams seemed like they might never be fulfilled.
Jose spent four months at the Mesa Verde Detention Center. Meanwhile, outside the bars, the community of Bakersfield rallied to his defense. His professors and mentors spoke out on his behalf and attended his immigration court dates, where they shared stories about this remarkable and resilient young man. Last August, moved by those stories, the judge ruled that Bello could be released to his family, which includes his mother and his 1-year-old son.
Now back home, Jose works in the fields from 6:30 am to 3:30 pm while taking a full course load at Bakersfield College in the evenings. He is overjoyed to be reunited with his family and community, but he is also still facing deportation. Jose has secured high-quality legal representation through Eaton and Associates, but needs an additional $8,500 to cover the cost of his case. He and his mother have discussed various ways to raise the money, like selling the family’s only car, but this would make it impossible for them to continue to work.
I have worked with Jose closely for years—as a mentor, a professor, and, finally, a friend—and I know how much our community needs leaders like him. Since his release, he has completed his most recent semester at Bakersfield College and received A's and B's. This is no small accomplishment since the semester started two weeks prior to his release. He has continued to advocate for foster/homeless youth and previously incarcerated students through his work as the President of Youth Empowering Success (YES!) at Bakersfield College. He also recently became a Founding Steering Member of the Kern County chapter of CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, whose mission is to achieve a just society fully inclusive of immigrants.
Jose continues to support his family and his community, and inspire others to achieve their dreams. He is an amazing individual who, with your help, will do amazing things.
Please donate today to help cover Bello's legal fees to fight his deportation.
100% OF THE MONEY RAISED WILL GO DIRECTLY TO HIS LEGAL FUND.
You can learn more about Jose's story in the video and article links below:
BC Student Detained by ICE
Jose spent four months at the Mesa Verde Detention Center. Meanwhile, outside the bars, the community of Bakersfield rallied to his defense. His professors and mentors spoke out on his behalf and attended his immigration court dates, where they shared stories about this remarkable and resilient young man. Last August, moved by those stories, the judge ruled that Bello could be released to his family, which includes his mother and his 1-year-old son.
Now back home, Jose works in the fields from 6:30 am to 3:30 pm while taking a full course load at Bakersfield College in the evenings. He is overjoyed to be reunited with his family and community, but he is also still facing deportation. Jose has secured high-quality legal representation through Eaton and Associates, but needs an additional $8,500 to cover the cost of his case. He and his mother have discussed various ways to raise the money, like selling the family’s only car, but this would make it impossible for them to continue to work.
I have worked with Jose closely for years—as a mentor, a professor, and, finally, a friend—and I know how much our community needs leaders like him. Since his release, he has completed his most recent semester at Bakersfield College and received A's and B's. This is no small accomplishment since the semester started two weeks prior to his release. He has continued to advocate for foster/homeless youth and previously incarcerated students through his work as the President of Youth Empowering Success (YES!) at Bakersfield College. He also recently became a Founding Steering Member of the Kern County chapter of CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, whose mission is to achieve a just society fully inclusive of immigrants.
Jose continues to support his family and his community, and inspire others to achieve their dreams. He is an amazing individual who, with your help, will do amazing things.
Please donate today to help cover Bello's legal fees to fight his deportation.
100% OF THE MONEY RAISED WILL GO DIRECTLY TO HIS LEGAL FUND.
You can learn more about Jose's story in the video and article links below:
BC Student Detained by ICE
Fundraising team: Student Dreamer - Jose Bello (2)
Ian Anderson
Organizer
Bakersfield, CA
Gabriel Thompson
Team member
Raised $374 from 9 donations
This team raised $2,648 from 51 other donations.
