My name is Virginia, and I am asking for your help to bring my fiancé, Ozan, safely home.

Ozan is from Turkey. He fled after enduring persecution and violence, hoping for safety and a chance to heal. Instead, he has been placed in ICE detention far from our home in California. In July, after showing up for a routine court date over a minor driving matter, he was unexpectedly taken into custody. He has never been convicted of a crime. Despite doing everything right, he was transferred out of state and has now been isolated for months in a facility where no one speaks his language.

Since being detained, Ozan’s health has sharply declined. He suffers from PTSD and a serious heart condition. Recently, he had a cardiac episode and is now on daily heart medication. The stress, lack of proper care, and constant psychological pressure put his life at risk every single day. He is the only Turkish-speaking person in the detention center, which makes his isolation even more painful and dangerous. He has no way to safely understand or translate documents, and too often phones and tablets break down, cutting off his only access to me and the outside world.

Despite everything, Ozan remains gentle, kind, and humble. He has a sharp mind and a generous heart. He loves cooking, music, and caring for animals. He always shows up for the people he loves — if he says he’ll be there, he is. Even when he has nothing, he finds a way to help others. He never complains about the conditions he is in, even though they are harsh. His strength and resilience inspire me every day.

I was just beginning to rebuild my life when Ozan and I met. After losing everything in the fires and becoming homeless, I was finally starting over. Now, with him in detention, I am facing multiple crises alone. I cannot fight this battle without help.

We urgently need support for:

• Asylum legal fees – $7,500 total; $3,000 already paid, $4,500 more due

• Bond – minimum $3,000, but it could be higher; bond must be paid in full and upfront (it is refunded if his case is won)

• Certified translations – every document from Turkey must be translated at $30 per page for court acceptance

• Communication & commissary – his detention tablet is the only way we can talk, plus commissary covers food and hygiene items not provided inside

• Medical documentation & travel costs – to prove his condition and ensure he gets to hearings safely

Ozan has a strong case for asylum, but it can only be won with the help of a lawyer and the proper documentation. He deserves the chance to heal in safety, surrounded by love, not to waste away in detention.

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference. And if you cannot give, please share this campaign — your share could reach someone who can. Together, we can bring Ozan home.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

—Virginia