Help a Broke Ass Habibi Stay in the U.S. (Legally!)

Hi friends, chosen fam, and kind strangers on the internet,

I’m Obadah Aljefri, I’m an interdisciplinary artist, illustrator, designer, educator, and currently… a broke ass habibi who is currently based in New York City. I create work that delves into identity, otherness, and the gaze, often through unconventional mediums and community engagement.

I’m now applying for the O-1B visa, a.k.a. the "You’re Actually Good at Art So We’ll Let You Stay (Maybe)" visa. It would allow me to continue living and working in the U.S., where I’ve spent the last few years growing my artistic practice, collaborating with brilliant people, and building a life that feels honest and full of purpose.

This visa is for artists of “extraordinary ability,” which sounds very glamorous until you realize it comes with $15,335 worth of very un-glamorous fees and here’s the honest truth:

This visa application is wildly expensive. And I am, to be clear, a broke ass boo.

A Moment of Gratitude

Before I ask for your help, I want to acknowledge how much I’ve already been given.

I am incredibly privileged to be here, to live in New York City, to have received scholarships that allowed me to pursue an MFA, and to have access to art education at all. I know this path isn’t available to everyone. That awareness humbles me every day, and it fuels my desire to keep showing up, sharing my work, and giving back through teaching and community engagement.

I’m also acutely aware that we’re living in a time of profound global crises: genocides, environmental collapse, societal upheaval, and moral decay. Countless individuals are in dire situations, facing challenges far greater than mine. This awareness weighs heavily on me, and I approach this fundraiser with humility and a deep sense of responsibility.

Why I'm Asking for Help:

After completing my MFA, I’ve continued developing work that explores self and otherness, perception, and the absurdities of identity. I’ve taught young people in underserved communities, collaborated with artists and curators, and am slowly carving out space for my voice and practice.

But none of that secures me a future here. To apply for the O-1B artist visa, I need to build and submit a legal case that proves my "extraordinary ability" as an artist. This process requires extensive documentation, legal assistance, and, of course, funds.

Why I'm Reaching Out:

Navigating the visa application process is both complex and costly. Despite the support I've received through scholarships and grants, the financial demands of this process are substantial. Here's a breakdown of the anticipated expenses:

Total Goal: $13,335

How You Can Help:

To express my gratitude, I’m offering the following tokens of appreciation:

Note: These pieces will be created and shipped after the visa application process is complete. I appreciate your patience and understanding.

What This Visa Means:

This isn’t just about staying in the U.S., it’s about continuing to make art that confronts the narratives projected onto people like me, and pushes against such narratives to elucidate alternative ways of being. Art that plays with humor, discomfort, tenderness, and vulnerability. Art that speaks across cultures and identities.

This visa would allow me to keep teaching, building, connecting, and showing up in ways that I hope ripple outward.

This fundraiser isn’t a pity party, it’s an invitation. If my work has made you feel something, if you’ve followed my journey, or if you just believe in helping people stay weird and tender and truthful in a world that makes that hard, please consider contributing.

Thank you, truly, for reading, for sharing, for rooting for me.

With love, grit, and legal paperwork,

Obadah

www.obadahaljefri.com