CHANGE LEO'S LIFE

I opened my business back in July 2019 & shortly after I was blessed to have come across Leonel Miguel. When I first hired Leo he started working for me as a barista….opening my cafe every morning then going to work another closing shift at another restaurant daily. 
I was shocked how someone could work so hard and yet be on top of everything in the workplace meanwhile serving my customers with a smile. 
Soon after hiring him he was promoted to cafe manager due to his amazing work ethic, honesty, and respect and love for my customers & my establishment.

Leo came to me the other day and told me that he needed to look for another job in order to make extra income. However he has been unable to find more work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He began to tell me that back in 2014 he was the victim of a violent crime here in Los Angeles. He was walking home and was brutally assaulted, robbed and had to go to the hospital in order to recover from his severe injuries.Leo was scared to go to the police because of his immigration status. He feared that if he reported the crime he and his family could be deported. However he did choose to come forward and report the crime. A police report was made but there was never any follow up from the police. Due to his fear of deportation, Leo never followed up with the police. Instead he continued to live in constant fear of deportation or another assault against him. It wasn't until recently Leo came across a lawyer who explained to him that being a victim of a violent crime on US Territory gives him rights as an immigrant. Leo explained to me that he was unaware of the fact that he had any rights in this situation. The lawyer further explained that if he had the proper documentation of the crime committed against him, he would be eligible to apply for the U-Visa. Last month Leo finally received the proper documentation of the crime after 6 years. The U Visa is a special process that will give victims of violent crimes “U-status”. Having U-status authorizes victims to remain in the US via the U-visa. After the process is complete a U-Visa document will be issued to the victim which will allow them to remain in the United States without any fear of deportation.

Leo began the initial application process for the U-Visa with a lawyer, but unfortunately he had to stop abruptly after finding out the total cost. He has been living paycheck to paycheck. Since the beginning of the pandemic Leo and his family are struggling to stay afloat, with no other work options due to the pandemic. Not to mention, because of his citizenship status, Leo or anyone in his family has not been eligible to receive any of the government assistance being provided right now.

Leo has until October 1st to come up with a total of $8,000 to pay for a legal representation (lawyer fees)  in court to legally obtain his U-Visa. If he doesn't come up with the funds by October 1st he will lose this opportunity that would change his whole family's life.  

Leo’s story and the challenges he has faced make him one of the many underdogs in our nation's workforce, who face unfair circumstances but work twice as hard as the people who have the gift of citizenship in this country. It kills me to see someone who has worked so hard for so many years to take care of himself, and his family be faced with such impossible circumstances. I made this gofundme to help change Leo’s life. It is up to us, the people who have benefited from this man's hard work on a daily basis. When we come together and have compassion for one another, great things can be accomplished. Please consider donating, no amount is too small, it can truly change Leo’s life.