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Daddy Onyambu Needs a Green Card!

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In 2013, money from the Onyambu Family Rescue campaign enabled Joseph, world-class marathoner and father of three, to stay in the country after he was suddenly and unexpectedly detained by immigration services and promptly scheduled for removal.

Just this week, thanks to prayers and generous pro-bono work from three Minneapolis immigration attorneys including work through the Minnesota Justice Foundation, Joseph's Joint Motion to Terminate Removal Proceedings was finally granted. At long last, Joseph is now free from the debilitating worry that he will be immediately separated from his family.

Problems continue and the need is urgent. Though Lena's petition to grant her husband legal status has been approved, without a green card, Joseph resides in the United States without proper status. This means he is vulnerable to all sorts of nasty legal risks that could again threaten to separate him from his family.


For five years Joseph has wanted nothing more than to relieve the strain on his wife and support his family as a provider. With Lenah just now returning to work after the birth of their third child, and with the rise of green card application fees, and housing costs, the family needs your help to bring Daddy across the finish line.

Five years ago Joseph's career as a world-class marathoner led him to Minneapolis where he and Lenah met.

The two have built a beautiful family together.  We rejoiced when Mom became a citizen last year. Now Eugene (9) Delight (2) and Favour (1) wait eagerly with their mother, cheering for dad but financially powerless to put him cross the line.


Ever active in his community Joseph has not been allowed to accept employment during his five years in the US. Though he has served faithfully as a men's leader at his church and through numerous volunteer hours at charities including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Bishop's Store-house, Great Harvest, Feed My Starving Children, Boy Scouts of America, Charity Running, and many others while constantly caring for his family.

Single income life has been difficult but Lenah, as sole provider, has pressed on. Her perseverance is a proof that the pioneer spirit that built America is quietly alive today. Lena's smile and kindness is a strength to her family as time and again she has pressed her shoulder to the wheel and pushed ever onward with her faith and her song against the shadow and uncertainty.

Even a little light in the darkness goes a long way. Please help cheer Joseph across the finish line by giving any small amount you can  spare. Your donations support the family in need and a talented athlete.

Campaign Details:
$1225 is the amount we must raise before we can file Joseph's i-485 & i-765 applications (Green Card and Work Authorization).

We will achieve net campaign proceeds of that amount when we hit our funding goal of $1300.

Any additional funds raised beyond our $1300 goal will to the family to provide much needed housing assistance. The family currently resides in a studio apartment and has been temporarily permitted to extend thier stay beyond their notice to vacate for exceeding occupancy limit after the birth of thier new baby Girl.

Campaign Sponsor: 
My name is Matthew Hartranft and I am endorsing and assisting this campaign. I have known Joseph since his earliest arrival in Minnesota in 2012. When we met I was not yet an attorney but still in my first year at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul Minnesota . I met Joseph one morning during my early run through the park. The two of us began running together and I became amazed by his story.


Joseph came to the United States as the member of a Kenyan running camp. He was fearful of returning to Kenya after a close friend and training partner was fatally shot while Joseph and one other were on a morning training run together. He worried that as an elite athlete he would be targeted or at higher risk of assault.

Over the years it has been a joy to see Joseph and Lenah's family grow. Their strength has been an inspiration to me to face my own challenges and to never give up.
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Donations 

  • Bill&Xan Sponseller
    • $50 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer

Matthew Hartranft
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN

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