Over the holidays, we were heartbroken to learn that Damien’s Spanish tutor’s father-in-law was detained by ICE after showing up for a routine immigration check-in. Legally here in the US on an asylum claim from Cuba, the rug was pulled from under this family’s feet when this law abiding immigrant was detained in Georgia for over 3 months. A skilled worker without even a traffic ticket, he doesn’t even remotely qualify for detainment.

Yesterday, he was released on bail and is now in the process of returning home. He lost 3 months of his life, during which he was denied invaluable time with his family, lost wages, and was burdened with navigating a complex legal landscape.

This family has become a meaningful part of our lives ever since Damien first landed in his tutor’s classroom kindergarten year of his Spanish immersion program. I’m amazed by the journey this family has endured to create a new life in the United States. They’ve welcomed my son into their home to nurture and to teach him a new language and to become immersed in Cuban culture, helping to honor my family’s heritage as my grandmother immigrated from Cuba over 70 years ago. I’m starting this gofundme to help compensate for the unexpected legal fees, lost wages, and emotional turmoil this family has endured. I’ve withheld their names for privacy, but I’m hoping you can join me in supporting them.