<div>On February 14, 2015, Marcelino Gutiérrez came to the United States legally with a visa. Like so many others, he came with hope, faith, and a dream of building a better life for the people he loves.
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<div>Although he visa eventually expired, over the last 11 years, this country has become his home. He has worked hard to provide for his family, faithfully served his church, and dedicated his life to helping others. If you know Marcelino, you know he isn't someone who looks for recognition or attention. He's the kind of person who quietly shows up when someone needs help. He listens without judgment, prays with people who are hurting, and gives his time expecting nothing in return.
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<div>To his wife, Marcelino is more than her husband he is her best friend, her partner, and the person she has leaned on through every season of life. To their four daughters, he is simply Dad. He's the one who cheers the loudest at their accomplishments, comforts them when they're hurting, reminds them every day how loved they are, and has always worked hard to give them the best life he could. No matter how busy work or ministry became, his family always came first. To his church family, Marcelino is a pastor who has spent years walking alongside people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. He has prayed beside hospital beds, comforted grieving families, celebrated weddings and new beginnings, encouraged people through difficult seasons, and reminded countless others that they were never alone. His ministry has never been about standing behind a pulpit. It has always been about serving people.
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<div>On Friday, July 10, 2026, our lives changed. Marcelino was stopped during a traffic stop and arrested for not having a valid driver's license. At first, we were told he would be able to come home once bond was posted. We quickly gathered the money because we truly believed we'd be bringing him home that same day. Instead, the bond money was returned, and we were told that ICE had placed an immigration hold on him. Marcelino remains in custody and is expected to be transferred to immigration detention, leaving our family facing an uncertain future.
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<div>His wife now goes to bed without the person who has always been beside her. His daughters are trying to understand why their dad isn't home and when they'll get to hug him again. Every phone call is precious because it's the only way they can hear his voice.
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<div>What has amazed us most is that even while going through one of the hardest moments of his own life, Marcelino hasn't stopped caring for others. During the short phone calls he gets with family, he doesn't spend every minute talking about himself. Instead, he asks us to write down phone numbers and pass along messages for other men who are detained with him and have no way to reach their own families.
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<div>Because of him, mothers have heard from their sons. Wives have received messages from their husbands. Families who were waiting for any sign of hope have finally heard the words they needed to hear.
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<div>That is Marcelino.
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<div>Even now, when he has every reason to focus only on himself, he continues to think about others. Marcelino is so much more than an immigration case. He is a husband. He is a father. He is a pastor. He is a friend. He is a neighbor. He is a man who has spent the last 11 years working, serving, loving his family, and trying to make a positive difference in the lives of those around him.
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<div>Today, our family needs help.
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<div>The legal costs involved in fighting an immigration case are overwhelming, and with Marcelino unable to work, we've also lost his income. We are doing everything we can to keep life as stable as possible for his wife and four daughters while giving him the strongest legal representation possible.
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<div>Our goal is to raise $35,000 to help cover immigration legal fees, court expenses, and help support the family while Marcelino is away. If you are able to donate, no amount is too small. Every donation brings us one step closer to giving Marcelino the opportunity to come home. If you aren't able to donate, we completely understand. Sharing this fundraiser with others and praying for our family means more than you know.
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<div>Our greatest hope is simple that one day soon, Marcelino will walk back through the front door and his daughters will be able to hug their dad again. Thank you for taking the time to read our story, for your prayers, your kindness, and your support.
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<div>El 14 de febrero de 2015, Marcelino Gutiérrez llegó a los Estados Unidos legalmente con una visa. Como muchos otros, vino con esperanza, fe y un sueño de construir una vida mejor para las personas que ama.
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<div>Aunque su visa se venció, en los últimos 11 años, este país se ha convertido en su hogar. Ha trabajado duro para mantener a su familia, ha servido fielmente a su iglesia y ha dedicado su vida a ayudar a los demás. Si conoces a Marcelino, sabes que no es alguien que busca reconocimiento o atención. Él es el tipo de persona que aparece en silencio cuando alguien necesita ayuda. Escucha sin juzgar, reza con las personas que están sufriendo y da su tiempo sin esperar nada a cambio.
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<div>Para su esposa, Marcelino es más que su marido, es su mejor amigo, su compañero y la persona en la que se ha apoyado en cada temporada de la vida. Para sus cuatro hijas, él es simplemente papá. Él es el que anima más fuerte a sus logros, los consuela cuando están sufriendo, les recuerda todos los días lo amados que son y siempre ha trabajado duro para darles la mejor vida posible. No importa lo ocupado que se volviera el trabajo o el ministerio, su familia siempre fue lo primero. Para su familia de la iglesia, Marcelino es un pastor que ha pasado años caminando junto a la gente durante algunos de los momentos más difíciles de sus vidas. Ha orado junto a las camas de hospital, ha consolado a familias afligidas, ha celebrado bodas y nuevos comienzos, ha animado a la gente en temporadas difíciles y ha recordado a innumerables otros que nunca estaban solos. Su ministerio nunca ha sido sobre estar detrás de un púlpito. Siempre se ha tratado de servir a la gente.
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<div>El viernes 10 de julio de 2026, nuestras vidas cambiaron. Marcelino fue detenido durante una parada de tráfico y arrestado por no tener una licencia de conducir válida. Al principio, nos dijeron que podría volver a casa una vez que se publicara la fianza. Rápidamente juntamos el dinero porque realmente creíamos que lo traeríamos a casa ese mismo día. En cambio, el dinero de la fianza fue devuelto, y nos dijeron que ICE lo había retenido por inmigración. Marcelino permanece bajo custodia y se espera que sea trasladado a detención de inmigración, dejando a nuestra familia enfrentando un futuro incierto.
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<div>Su esposa ahora se va a la cama sin la persona que siempre ha estado a su lado. Sus hijas están tratando de entender por qué su padre no está en casa y cuándo volverán a abrazarlo. Cada llamada telefónica es preciosa porque es la única forma en que pueden escuchar su voz.
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<div>Lo que más nos ha sorprendido es que incluso mientras atraviesa uno de los momentos más difíciles de su propia vida, Marcelino no ha dejado de preocuparse por los demás. Durante las breves llamadas telefónicas que recibe con la familia, no pasa cada minuto hablando de sí mismo. En cambio, nos pide que escribamos los números de teléfono y pasemos mensajes a otras personas que están detenidos con él y no tienen forma de comunicarse con sus propias familias.
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<div>Gracias a él, las madres han tenido noticias de sus hijos. Las esposas han recibido mensajes de sus maridos. Las familias que esperaban cualquier signo de esperanza finalmente han escuchado las palabras que necesitaban escuchar.
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<div>Ese es Marcelino.
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<div>Incluso ahora, cuando tiene todas las razones para centrarse solo en sí mismo, sigue pensando en los demás. Marcelino es mucho más que un caso de inmigración. Él es un esposo. Él es un padre. Él es pastor. Él es un amigo. Él es un vecino. Es un hombre que ha pasado los últimos 11 años trabajando, sirviendo, amando a su familia y tratando de marcar una diferencia positiva en las vidas de quienes lo rodean.
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<div>Hoy, nuestra familia necesita ayuda. Los costos legales involucrados en la lucha contra un caso de inmigración son abrumadores, y con Marcelino incapaz de trabajar, también hemos perdido sus ingresos. Estamos haciendo todo lo posible para mantener la vida lo más estable posible para su esposa y sus cuatro hijas, al tiempo que le damos la representación legal más sólida posible.
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<div>Nuestro objetivo es recaudar 35.000 dólares para ayudar a cubrir los honorarios legales de inmigración, los gastos judiciales y ayudar a mantener a la familia mientras Marcelino está fuera. Si puedes donar, ninguna cantidad es demasiado pequeña. Cada donación nos acerca un paso más a darle a Marcelino la oportunidad de volver a casa. Si no puede donar, lo entendemos completamente. Compartir esta recaudación de fondos con otros y rezar por nuestra familia significa más de lo que crees.
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<div>Nuestra mayor esperanza es simple que algún día pronto, Marcelino vuelva por la puerta principal y sus hijas puedan abrazar a su padre de nuevo. Gracias por tomarse el tiempo de leer nuestra historia, por sus oraciones, su amabilidad y su apoyo.
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Ashley Samario

Anonymous

Belen Martinez

Isabela Villagomez

Jaime Barrios

Jacqueline Morales

Karla Aguilar

Amelia A

Glendy Santander

Terri Martin

Natalie Jimenez

Madelyn Andrade

Ben Byrum

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