On Halloween morning, my dad was taken by ICE shortly after arriving to work. He didn’t get the chance to let us know. I found out from an uncle. When I got that call, my heart dropped and I couldn’t believe it. I had just woken up and thought he was telling me my dad didn’t go to work. I quickly got up and went running to see if he was in his room, but nothing. I felt so much anger and sadness because they took my dad away from me. Tears running down my face, but I had to take action and do everything I could. I tried to locate him but since it was the weekend I couldn’t do anything

about it. I felt so powerless.

Since that day, nothing has been the same for my family. Our home used to be filled with so much love, laughter, and happiness, but now it just feels empty without him. Every single day, we wake up hoping and praying that we’ll get to have him back home with us. It’s a pain I never thought my family would have to experience. My dad has spent his whole life working hard to give us a better future. He’s sacrificed so much just to make sure we never went without anything. No matter how tired he was after a long day of work, he always put his family first. He trained my little brother in soccer. He taught me how to drive. He taught my little sister how to ride a bike. He’s one of the most hardworking, humble, and loving people I know, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank him enough for everything he’s done for us. My dad isn’t just my father. He’s my best friend, my biggest supporter, and someone I can’t imagine my life without. The world may just see him as another immigrant, but to me, my siblings, and my mother, he is everything to us. He’s been in the United States for 28 years, building a life here, raising his family, and working hard to give us opportunities he didn’t have growing up. For those same 28 years, he’s dedicated himself to the painting industry, putting his heart into everything he does. What hurts me the most is waking up every morning knowing he isn’t home. I miss hearing him sing around the house while making his morning coffee before leaving for work. I miss his voice, his hugs, and all the little things I never thought twice about because I always expected him to be there. I never imagined there would come a day when I’d have to wonder when I’d get to hug my own dad again.

If I could go back to just one normal morning with him at home, I would do it in a heartbeat. I wish I would’ve hugged him a little tighter or told him one more time how much I love him. You never realize how much those little moments mean until they’re suddenly taken away from you. It breaks my heart knowing my dad is sitting inside an ICE detention center, away from the people who love him the most. As much as we’re hurting without him, I can’t even imagine what he’s feeling being in there. I wonder if he’s okay, if he’s sleeping, if he’s eating, and if he knows just how much we miss him. All I want is to see him walk through our front door again, give him the biggest hug, and tell him that everything is going to be okay. My dad spent 28 years doing everything he could for us, and now it’s our turn to do everything we can for him. I refuse to give up on the man who has never given up on his family. I’m sharing our story because my family truly needs your help. We’re doing everything we can to fight his deportation and bring him back home where he belongs.

From the bottom of my heart, I’m asking you to please help us raise money for his legal defense. I just want my dad back. I want to hear his voice in our home again. I want to see him smile, hear him laugh, and have our family together like we used to be. I don’t want my little siblings to grow up without their dad by their side. I don’t want us to lose the person who has spent his entire life making sure we had everything we needed. Papi, te quiero muchísimo. No sabes cuánto te extraño y cuánto daría por tenerte otra vez en casa con nosotros. Primero Dios, todo va a salir bien. Te prometo que no vamos a dejar de luchar por ti.