Emergency housing and Legal Fee Funds for Matthew
Donation protected
Matthew Rojas needs our help! Matthew is in danger of being homeless due to the Covid-19 pandemic, quarantine, and lack of freelance manual labor during these times. Matthew hasn't been able to receive any aid from the government due to being undocumented. He has been unable to pay rent and keep up with the legal fees in his ongoing immigration battle. Matthew has to move out on June 31st and into a new home. We are looking to raise $3000 to cover first, last, and security of rent (estimating a rent of at least $600/month) and to cover the filing fee for his Naturalization application which is $640 plus a $75 application fee. There is no way he will be able to cover all of these expenses by himself.
Matthew Rojas is an essential member of the New Paltz community who has spent much time here supporting the local community, art, business, and culture. You may know Matthew aka Fantasea as a drag queen, performing artist, event host, and DJ from the local art scene or just as another wonderful person you'd meet being in the town of New Paltz. Matthew was detained by I.C.E. officials arriving on his court date in the town of New Paltz in November of 2018. Matthew was detained in Essex County Correctional Facility for 2 and a half months while he waited to see an immigration judge. Matthew was released on bond on February 1st.
After being released from detainment Matthew’s fight has been nothing short of difficult. From trying to find employment without woking papers, covering legal fees, and surviving in a country whose government does not deem him as equal to now dealing with the effects of the pandemic.
Matthew has been in the U.S. since the age of 3 years old, attending all levels of education including college (Fashion Institute of Technology). He has made an impact in every community he has taken part in and it is our time to make an impact on his!
He is currently seeking immigration relief and will have an immigration court date where he will be presented with a deportation order. He will have to present the form of immigration relief he has chosen. It is imperative that we support Matthew our friend and also a queer person of color who is going through the immigration trial process right now.
Any sharing, fundraising, event coordinating, and activism that we can do to show our support for them in this time is of vital importance. Please follow this page and the Gofundme for updates on what kind of support is needed. There is likely to be more and varied forms of support that Matthew will need from his community, please stay tuned with us and show this town and the world that you cannot abduct our deeply valued friends and community members without due rage and action.
Matthew Rojas is an essential member of the New Paltz community who has spent much time here supporting the local community, art, business, and culture. You may know Matthew aka Fantasea as a drag queen, performing artist, event host, and DJ from the local art scene or just as another wonderful person you'd meet being in the town of New Paltz. Matthew was detained by I.C.E. officials arriving on his court date in the town of New Paltz in November of 2018. Matthew was detained in Essex County Correctional Facility for 2 and a half months while he waited to see an immigration judge. Matthew was released on bond on February 1st.
After being released from detainment Matthew’s fight has been nothing short of difficult. From trying to find employment without woking papers, covering legal fees, and surviving in a country whose government does not deem him as equal to now dealing with the effects of the pandemic.
Matthew has been in the U.S. since the age of 3 years old, attending all levels of education including college (Fashion Institute of Technology). He has made an impact in every community he has taken part in and it is our time to make an impact on his!
He is currently seeking immigration relief and will have an immigration court date where he will be presented with a deportation order. He will have to present the form of immigration relief he has chosen. It is imperative that we support Matthew our friend and also a queer person of color who is going through the immigration trial process right now.
Any sharing, fundraising, event coordinating, and activism that we can do to show our support for them in this time is of vital importance. Please follow this page and the Gofundme for updates on what kind of support is needed. There is likely to be more and varied forms of support that Matthew will need from his community, please stay tuned with us and show this town and the world that you cannot abduct our deeply valued friends and community members without due rage and action.
Organizer
Olivia Espinoza
Organizer
New Paltz, NY