Help Bring Leo Home to His Family

On Sunday evening, my dear friend Leo — a hardworking father, husband, and valued member of our community — was detained during what should have been a simple traffic stop. Leo is originally from Brazil and is currently in the process of becoming a legal permanent resident. He works 60–70 hours a week to provide for his wife and their two young children, ages 2 and 4. They recently used their entire savings to move closer to work, trying to build a stable life here. What happened that night has left his family shaken, terrified, and in desperate need of support.

Leo was pulled over by the Abington Police Department due to an old warrant connected to a traffic violation he believed had been resolved. He and his wife, who struggles with English, repeatedly asked the officers to explain what was happening or allow a translator to assist. They refused. Police told his wife to cross the street to a gas station and would not allow her to retrieve their personal belongings from the car before towing it. She walked over expecting that an officer would come speak with her, update her, or explain what was happening — but no one ever came. The officers simply left her there alone, confused, frightened, and with no information about her husband’s whereabouts. Throughout the night, she and a family friend returned to the police station three separate times, only to be dismissed each time with no information. When they returned a fourth time with someone fluent in English, the officer claimed Leo had “bailed himself out” and had simply walked out the front door — a statement delivered with condescension and smirks. When asked whether immigration might have taken him, the officer casually responded, “It’s possible someone was waiting for him in the parking lot.” No one notified his wife. No one helped explain anything. They spent the night calling everywhere they could, praying he was safe.

On Monday morning, Leo finally reached out from a facility in Burlington. He was crying, terrified, and still had not been told why he was being held. He begged his friend to please take care of his wife and children and make sure nothing happened to them. He also explained that before being taken, someone at the station asked him for cash and told him he could leave. He paid, believing he was going home to his family — only to walk outside and be detained by ICE.

Leo’s wife and friend were able to quickly secure a highly recommended immigration attorney. Their immediate priority is filing with the courts to prevent Leo from being transferred to another state — which would make it far harder, and far more expensive, to get him released. The legal costs are significant, and while they were able to make a down payment, the remaining balance is due within weeks. This family simply does not have the means.

What is happening in our country right now with ICE detentions is frightening and painful. Many of us feel helpless in the face of a system that often treats families like Leo’s with cruelty, indifference, or outright disrespect. While one person alone can’t fix what’s broken, supporting families like Leo’s does matter. Every act of compassion pushes back against this dark moment in our country. Together, we can send a message that we will not stand by silently while good people are torn from their families without dignity, fairness, or humanity.

Please help us free Leo and bring him back to his wife and children. Your donation — no matter the amount — will directly support his legal fight for release and reunification. If you are unable to give financially, your prayers, shares, and support are just as meaningful. Thank you for standing with Leo, his family, and all families facing similar struggles. Let’s bring him home.