Free Antonio

I’ve been lying here in bed for hours writing and deleting and writing and deleting just trying to figure out how I ask my friends for money. I can be kind of shy, but I realize that doesn’t matter right now and I just need to ask, so I’m asking. I need your help. I’m not asking for myself or Manuel or even someone I’m blood related to, but Antonio is my brother and honestly, I’d do anything for him. He’s sitting in Immigration jail and he’s been there since Tuesday. I always knew he could be detained one day, it was always in the back of my mind, but like most worries, I kept the fear far far away, until it happened. Tuesday seems like a blur, first panic and then lots of tears because we couldn’t talk to him and the only contact was a missed call voicemail of a frantic Antonio letting my husband know what had happened. If anyone knows Antonio, then you already know. You know he’s kind and hardworking and gentle and patient and soft spoken and strong and so many things I seem like a groupie going on and on. I’ve never met his kids, but I know he works hard only for them, even if he doesn’t get to see them as much as he would like, he lives for them and has stayed here for them despite the terror of being undocumented in a country that doesn’t have a lot of sympathy. But our system is so flawed and my friend needs our sympathy right now. His brother Julio has hired him a good immigration lawyer, but man is the legal system complicated and expensive. We are hoping to get him out on an immigration bond, but as of now, he won’t see a judge until next week and the bond could be as much as $10,000 and there is no guarantee he will even be able to qualify for one. So that’s where you all come into play, help me help both his brother and Antonio. All money raised will go to his brother to cover impending legal fees if he is not able to obtain a bond. I’ve never been much of a religious person, but I tell you I’ve never prayed so much in my life. I pray this message finds you well and I pray this message touches your heart enough to donate, because anything helps, because I don’t want my brother, my incredibly special friend Antonio, to spend one more night jail if he doesn’t have to.

With lots of love,
Sarah and Manuel Cantú