NOTE: on October 5th, 2025, this fundraiser was edited to be less specific and not mention my move away. This was because we (my family and I) received a letter in the mail informing us that our immigration proceedings were moving forward, and we needed to show up for an interview with USCIS. Out of caution, I edited the fundraiser and removed my face from it. The interview was 10/30, and as of 11/14, we received the news our case has been deferred to a judge, and that we are considered "removable" aliens. Our court date has been scheduled for April 2027, and I've now restored the fundraiser as I hope to leave before then. Additionally, lawyer fees for this initial interview were about $5000, and the estimated fees for the hearing are an additional $6000, so any help is truly appreciated.

My name is Elliott. I am a Brazilian immigrant in the US. I immigrated nine years ago, and in that time, the wait for our proceedings has only increased. After nine years, my family is still in limbo regarding our immigration status, meaning we do not enjoy the protections or government assistance that US citizens do, despite living and working here legally for nearly a decade. Because of this, the current climate around immigrants is very threatening, as the attacks on non-citizens and people in the process of immigrating have only risen. Not just that, but this has made it hard to save any money, as I have had to pay for my college degree out of pocket, since I do not qualify for federal aid; costs for things like work visa renewals and lawyers also add up. I am also a transmasculine lesbian living in Florida, and the state and federal administrations' attacks on LGBT people, as well as the rising negative sentiment from the public, have made it clear to me that I cannot afford to stay here much longer.

I plan on moving back to Brazil and moving in with my girlfriend, where I am looking to start school once more and establish myself. My family is unwilling to move before my two younger siblings finish school, and they do not have the financial means to help me with the move or support me financially once I leave the house. I will need funds to pay for the physical move and related expenses (such as replacing any necessities that break or get left behind), as well as legal expenses, such as a government-approved translator to validate my college and high school diplomas. Funds will also be used for supporting myself once I arrive (food, bills, education) since I will be out of a job.

Our goal is to raise at least 5k to cover relocation costs and any necessary expenses, so that this move can happen as quickly and smoothly as possible.