Hello all, my name is Jessica Maldonado, and I started this GoFundMe to raise funds to cover attorney and legal representation fees to save my dad from deportation. On 10/14/2025, my dad rode his bike to the store to exchange coins for his laundry when he was detained by ICE in Torrance-Harbor Gateway (228th & Western). My dad was 5 minutes away from home… He did not have an active deportation order, and he is not a national security threat, yet he was detained… ICE agents took my dad and left his bike on the sidewalk. Our hearts broke when we received the terrible news; our worst nightmare became true. This system is broken and has failed my family many times, and at this moment, we are hurt as the same system tears our family apart. My dad is a hardworking man who raised and provided for 6 children. We always had a home because of his sacrifice. I am proud to be where I am today because of him, and I owe it all to him. My family and I will fight for my dad’s stay, and we ask for our community's help. Our heart goes out to all those in the same situation and those in fear every day because of the current situation. Please consider a small donation or just a share. We appreciate all the prayers, help and support.

Update: Thank you to everyone who has sent prayers, kind words, shared and donated. We visited my dad at the detention center over the weekend, and he is okay. We are finalizing legal representation, and the donations received will go towards the down payment for the attorney. The past few days have been challenging as detention agents have made it difficult to communicate with my dad over the phone, and though the future feels uncertain, we remain hopeful.

03/18/2026: It has been 5 months since my dad was detained. He is still being held in a detention center in CA and we continue to visit him every other weekend. My dad's spirit is slowly crushing because of the treatment and confinement in the detention center but he continues to persevere. These past months have been long but quick and some days are better than others. My family and I have learned that the world doesn't stop spinning and so we continue with our "normal lives" while we try to manage the stress and pain we feel inside. However, in the midst of all the darkness, we have had a few wins with the immigration court. Our attorney has helped greatly with my dad's case and we are seeing a small light at the end of the tunnel. They have granted bond to my dad but, at a high price. I have inquired with bond agents but their terms appear exploitive. I am hoping that our community can help one last time. We appreciate all the shares, prayers and donations.

Thank you,

Maldonado Family