Hi,

If this crowdfund comes to your attention, it's likely because we most likely somehow connect in life (Family, friends, collaborators).

If I don't know you personally, then perhaps through the arts or via a recommendation, either way, thank you for taking the time to read about my cause.

I first began this crowdfund under the of title "Angel Ito UK Settlement and See His Momma Fund", a couple of months ago, but after the sudden and unexpected passing of my mom, when Everything changed, and all my efforts derailed. Still, I'm more determined than ever to finish the goal of completing my journey home in her name, to pay my final respects.

In my continued effort to reach my goal I will begin posting works of art for sale on my social media. If you would like to purchase a piece, or a print, please get in touch as every bit helps.

I must extend an enormous gratitude to all who have already sent support, as even in the hardest of recent times, people were chipping in to help me get reuinted with my Mom and family back home.

“Life began with waking up and loving my mother's face.” -Maya Angelou

"Love may be the matter that keeps the stars in the firmament. It may be. Love allows you to be tough and tender," she said.

ALWAYS AND FOREVER.

*Below is the original appeal

I'm crowdfunding to raise funds towards legal and application costs to settle and finalize my UK immigration status and make a long overdue trip back to the U.S. to reunite with my family after over 20 years away. You may or not be aware of my longstanding and difficult immigration journey, as it's difficult for me to be so visible and vulnerable online and appeal for help. I've long sat overthinking it, afraid to do what many have encouraged me to do-ask for support.

Backstory:

My immigration journey began unconventionally. After university, I travelled to London for six months and met my future husband, as fate would have it. After realizing that we were committed to one another, we embarked together on a period of travelling. Visiting France and America, we introduced our families and countries to one another. During one of many trips to the U.S., my partner was suddenly and unjustly deported for what I can only say was profiling and blatant homophobia. Left alone, reeling in Boston's Airport, after my lover was quickly taken from me (and told he'd been barred from reentry for 10 years! (without justification)), I was deeply hurt and embarrassed by my country. I determined to return to Europe to forge a life with my man. It was an easy decision to follow love, but I didn't realise then, the impact it would have on my life.  So we settled in London, where we met and built a life. But as you can imagine, a rash and quick displacement made immigration an incredible hurdle that I was little prepared for or even imagined I'd face. I've spent most of my adult life chasing peace of mind with immigration, dealing with long years of twists and turns in my settlement. As LGBTQ marriage rights advanced, we were afforded a measure of protection and were able to marry under EU law. Still, never-ending beaurocracy, long waiting periods where only my partner could work, made application affordability a constant challenge and a barrier to this day.

My husband and I have made London our home for more than 20 years, surviving and navigating the difficulties of this city. And while it has allowed our relationship to flourish and blossom, it has also served as an invisible prison, as testing borders without immigration/settlement resolution could see me separated from my husband.

Not having clear and easy access to your family because of immigration issues is not easy. While technology enables a great degree of connection and "staying in touch" it'll never replace a hug, or a walk with a loved one.

Over the years, so many family members have passed without me being able to fly home and grieve with my family, and I have missed out out on irreplaceable moments of joy and celebration, all because this huge obstacle of settlement has held me back.

If you know me personally, you know my Mom is my world, and have been treated to countless stories. Far from perfect, she is a fighter, a mother, a survivor of an early life of abuse that later manifested in bouts of domestic, violence and long issues with alcohol and substance dependency. Thankfully much of the trauma is now behind her, but after a life of hardships and accidents, she is more vulnerable than she should be. She has been in hospital for extended periods with major issues four times in the last three years, and not seeing, hugging, and being with your Mom again, while I still have time, is heavy pressure and worry.

It takes a lot of courage to be this visible and vulnerable on social media, but seeing her again is a significant motivation to get past my pride, and launch this because I miss her terribly.

I do not have to leave the UK, but to get back to work and be able to travel again, I must complete my settlement (which has always come with a hefty price tag), and currently leaves my husband and I in a loop of unaffordability.

I'm raising funds to cover the following costs

New passport £165

An immigration application costs £1,500 (+/-).

Lawyer fees are £1,500 (+/-) (Specialized case fees)

The rest would fund the air travel there and back.

I am trying to raise between £3,000 and £5,000 for my application for settled status and my trip back home.

I am proud that I followed love every day, as 23 years later, my partnership endures. And while surviving in London's margin as an artist has been challenging, it has served me many blessings. But as I mentioned before, not having straightforward access to your family because of immigration issues is not a fair trade-off, and with your help, I can reconnect with them.

I have lingered long on launching this campaign, but I have been prompted by so many recent losses of people that have been incredible influences on me; artists, friends, and family. The old saying kept coming back to me, “The trouble is, you think you have time.” But loss reminds you that time should never be taken as a given. So, I'm biting the bullet and putting a call out to the universe.

If you can and would like to donate to help me push past this obstacle of resolving my settlement to reunite with my family, well...I will be eternally grateful.

If the fundraiser is successful, I plan on documenting the homecoming journey back to the U.S. as I reunite with family and friends after 20 plus years, and sharing it with all the donors to express thanks.

Please keep my efforts in your thoughts.

Blessing and bliss,

Angel Ito #aitoart