A loving father, husband, and hardworking chef has been detained by ICE, and held without bail, leaving his wife and three young children struggling to get by. Please help us raise funds for legal representation to bring Tomás home and keep his family together.

Our friend and community member Tomás Ajeataz Mejia was unexpectedly detained by ICE last week in broad daylight, just moments after leaving a traffic hearing in Rhode Island. Tomás is in the U.S. on a work visa. Four ICE vehicles surrounded him as he walked to his car, right in front of his younger brother, who works alongside Tomás as his sous chef, who could only watch in shock and fear.

Tomás is a hardworking father, husband, and chef, where he works tirelessly to provide for his family and bring joy to everyone who knows him. He was recently promoted to head chef because of his incredible work ethic, leadership, and dedication to his craft.

Now, Tomás’s wife is left at home caring for their three young children, two boys ages 5 and 3, and a 4-month-old baby girl. Their oldest son has autism and a speech delay, and the family is doing everything they can to keep his routine stable through this heartbreaking time. Without Tomás’s income, his wife is struggling to cover basic expenses and cannot afford full-time childcare in order to return to work.

Tomás’s detention has placed unimaginable emotional and financial strain on his family. To make matters worse, they are now faced with the enormous costs of hiring an experienced immigration and criminal attorney, the only way to ensure that Tomás has a fair chance to stay in the United States and continue supporting his family.

This GoFundMe has been created to help raise $10,000 to cover legal fees and related expenses for Tomás’s defense. Every dollar will go directly toward securing the representation he desperately needs to fight this case and to help his wife and children stay afloat while they navigate this difficult process.

Tomás is more than a chef, he’s a father, a husband, a brother, and a friend to everyone who’s ever met him. He has spent years working long hours to support his family and serve his community with kindness and humility. Now, he and his loved ones need our help.

Please consider donating whatever you can. Even a small contribution can make a huge difference. If you’re unable to give, please share this page with others who might be able to help.

Let’s come together to bring Tomás home and keep his family together.

Thank you for your generosity, compassion, and support.