I I honestly don’t even know how to describe what I’m feeling.
It’s overwhelming in the best possible way — a mix of gratitude, relief, and something deeper I can’t quite put into words.
It’s the kind of feeling you carry in your stomach and throughout your body when something bigger than you just happened.
I truly cannot thank you enough.
What started as a frightening moment on my quiet Saint Paul street turned into something I never expected — a community of people coming together to help a family during the hardest time of their lives.
Last night Andrés called Kelly with an update.
Both he and ICE have now signed off on his voluntary departure paperwork, and he is in the process of being returned to Colombia.
Over the past two months he has been moved through detention facilities in four different states.
After everything he has been through, he may finally be on his way home.
Kelly and Samuel are scheduled to return to Colombia on March 11 after requesting voluntary departure through the government’s CBP app.
There is even a small chance the family could all arrive back in Colombia around the same time.
They will be starting over with just the clothes they can carry and a few suitcases, but they will arrive knowing that people they have never met cared enough to help them land on their feet.
Because the region they are returning to is very poor, I will leave the fundraiser open for now.
Any additional support will simply help give them a little more stability as they rebuild their lives together.
This family came into my life unexpectedly, but they have enriched my life in more ways than I ever imagined.
Saying goodbye will be bittersweet, but knowing they will soon be together again brings peace.
We met as strangers, but we are leaving as family.
I hope to visit them in Colombia once they are settled and beginning their new life together.
What happened on my street changed all of our lives.
Andrés’ story — and the humanity so many of you showed — deserves to be told.
Thank you for standing with them.
I will continue sharing updates as they arrive home and begin their new chapter. ❤️
It’s overwhelming in the best possible way — a mix of gratitude, relief, and something deeper I can’t quite put into words.
It’s the kind of feeling you carry in your stomach and throughout your body when something bigger than you just happened.
I truly cannot thank you enough.
What started as a frightening moment on my quiet Saint Paul street turned into something I never expected — a community of people coming together to help a family during the hardest time of their lives.
Last night Andrés called Kelly with an update.
Both he and ICE have now signed off on his voluntary departure paperwork, and he is in the process of being returned to Colombia.
Over the past two months he has been moved through detention facilities in four different states.
After everything he has been through, he may finally be on his way home.
Kelly and Samuel are scheduled to return to Colombia on March 11 after requesting voluntary departure through the government’s CBP app.
There is even a small chance the family could all arrive back in Colombia around the same time.
They will be starting over with just the clothes they can carry and a few suitcases, but they will arrive knowing that people they have never met cared enough to help them land on their feet.
Because the region they are returning to is very poor, I will leave the fundraiser open for now.
Any additional support will simply help give them a little more stability as they rebuild their lives together.
This family came into my life unexpectedly, but they have enriched my life in more ways than I ever imagined.
Saying goodbye will be bittersweet, but knowing they will soon be together again brings peace.
We met as strangers, but we are leaving as family.
I hope to visit them in Colombia once they are settled and beginning their new life together.
What happened on my street changed all of our lives.
Andrés’ story — and the humanity so many of you showed — deserves to be told.
Thank you for standing with them.
I will continue sharing updates as they arrive home and begin their new chapter. ❤️