Help Bring Shanqun Zhao Home
Donation protected
"Shanqun Zhao is the epitome of the American Dream. In 1996, he came to New York from China with plans to build a better life for he and his wife Meizhu. Now, 22 years later, he has been ripped away from his two children, wife and the small business they built together – all thanks to cruel and unjust immigration laws.
The details of Shanqun’s original immigration case aren’t clear. But according to Ling, his 15-year-old daughter, his application for immigration was originally denied. When Shanqun appealed that decision, he never heard from the court again. No letter, no notice – just an employment card that he took as a license to start a new life.
Which is exactly what he did.
Shanqun and Meizhu moved to Woodbury, Tennessee, a town with just 2,700 people, to open one of the town’s few restaurants. China Star has become a cornerstone of the community and Shanqun is known by everyone as a friend who greets you with an unfailing smile and is always willing to help someone in need.
Despite tough financial times, the Zhao’s have opened their doors to customers every single day for more than a decade. They pay taxes. They’re never late on rent. They’ve never over drafted a bank account or come into contact with local police, unless it was to serve officers a meal. Those details may seem unrelated to this story, but Shanqun’s family has repeated them to reporters over and over to plead their case as to why Shanqun should be allowed to continue living in his home.
On July 16, Shanqun reported to a local immigration office in response to a letter that asked him to appear for an interview. Shanqun hoped the interview would finally lead to a permanent green card. Instead, he was immediately arrested by ICE and transported to the Davidson County Jail in Nashville. In the last few weeks, he’s been moved to a facility in Alabama and another in Louisiana. Now, he could be shipped off to China any day.
His children and wife are devastated, and his community is outraged. Many have launched a letter writing campaign begging government officials to allow Shanqun to return home. The mayor, city alderman, teachers, factory workers, bank tellers, landlords, farmers and more are writing down exactly what losing Shanqun means to them. Some are now coming to grips with unforgiving immigration policies they once supported.
“I voted for President Trump and I do want bad people out of here,” said Woodbury resident Derek Masters. “But when I see this it’s like these are people I know, these are good people; this is the ugly side of the law and its hurt so many.”
Shanqun’s family is paying an attorney to fight to reopen his immigration case and they’re putting money into an account that allows him to call home once a day. These are massive costs they never thought they’d face; costs they’re coping with during the single most terrifying ordeal they’ve ever encountered.
The residents of Woodbury, have launched this Go Fund Me to help Shanqun’s family because we are family. If one of us is struggling, all of us will do whatever it takes to help – even if that means turning to the rest of the world for support.
Shanqun and his family deserve peace of mind, love and compassion – your donation shows injustice will not win and that families belong together."
Please note:
All deposits are being made to my (Jessica Alexander) personal account , and cashier’s checks are being issued weekly/biweekly to the Zhoas.
Deposits made this far:
$2,695.12 9/4/18
$2,129.34. 8/21/18
Meizhu (the wife) will be setting up a separate savings account this week for monies to be deposited directly into her account going forward.
If you have any questions, please message me.
The details of Shanqun’s original immigration case aren’t clear. But according to Ling, his 15-year-old daughter, his application for immigration was originally denied. When Shanqun appealed that decision, he never heard from the court again. No letter, no notice – just an employment card that he took as a license to start a new life.
Which is exactly what he did.
Shanqun and Meizhu moved to Woodbury, Tennessee, a town with just 2,700 people, to open one of the town’s few restaurants. China Star has become a cornerstone of the community and Shanqun is known by everyone as a friend who greets you with an unfailing smile and is always willing to help someone in need.
Despite tough financial times, the Zhao’s have opened their doors to customers every single day for more than a decade. They pay taxes. They’re never late on rent. They’ve never over drafted a bank account or come into contact with local police, unless it was to serve officers a meal. Those details may seem unrelated to this story, but Shanqun’s family has repeated them to reporters over and over to plead their case as to why Shanqun should be allowed to continue living in his home.
On July 16, Shanqun reported to a local immigration office in response to a letter that asked him to appear for an interview. Shanqun hoped the interview would finally lead to a permanent green card. Instead, he was immediately arrested by ICE and transported to the Davidson County Jail in Nashville. In the last few weeks, he’s been moved to a facility in Alabama and another in Louisiana. Now, he could be shipped off to China any day.
His children and wife are devastated, and his community is outraged. Many have launched a letter writing campaign begging government officials to allow Shanqun to return home. The mayor, city alderman, teachers, factory workers, bank tellers, landlords, farmers and more are writing down exactly what losing Shanqun means to them. Some are now coming to grips with unforgiving immigration policies they once supported.
“I voted for President Trump and I do want bad people out of here,” said Woodbury resident Derek Masters. “But when I see this it’s like these are people I know, these are good people; this is the ugly side of the law and its hurt so many.”
Shanqun’s family is paying an attorney to fight to reopen his immigration case and they’re putting money into an account that allows him to call home once a day. These are massive costs they never thought they’d face; costs they’re coping with during the single most terrifying ordeal they’ve ever encountered.
The residents of Woodbury, have launched this Go Fund Me to help Shanqun’s family because we are family. If one of us is struggling, all of us will do whatever it takes to help – even if that means turning to the rest of the world for support.
Shanqun and his family deserve peace of mind, love and compassion – your donation shows injustice will not win and that families belong together."
Please note:
All deposits are being made to my (Jessica Alexander) personal account , and cashier’s checks are being issued weekly/biweekly to the Zhoas.
Deposits made this far:
$2,695.12 9/4/18
$2,129.34. 8/21/18
Meizhu (the wife) will be setting up a separate savings account this week for monies to be deposited directly into her account going forward.
If you have any questions, please message me.
Organizer
Jessica Henson Alexander
Organizer
Woodbury, TN
