Hi everyone,

I'm writing this on behalf of Carmen, a brave, resilient 23-year-old woman, and her younger brother. They came to the U.S. from El Salvador as children, brought here by their aunt in hopes of a safer and brighter future. For years, Carmen has worked hard to make that future real.

After graduating high school, Carmen began community college with dreams of one day earning her bachelor’s degree.

But now, Carmen is facing a heartbreaking and terrifying situation.

She recently received a notice from the Department of Homeland Security requiring her to leave the country. She’s consulted immigration attorneys in the past, but a legal pathway ahead is nearly impossible to navigate without resources and time, two things she doesn’t have right now.

Carmen doesn’t want to wait for the worst to happen. She wants to leave in a dignified way, on her own terms, and make sure her little brother is safe. She’s scared of what a forced deportation might mean for them both. Right now, she’s seeking support to cover travel costs and short-term housing as they begin a new chapter.

We’re asking for help raising funds to:

Cover travel expenses for Carmen and her brother

Secure safe, short-term housing when they arrive

Provide basic necessities as they get on their feet

This is an incredibly difficult and emotional time, and Carmen is showing immense courage just by making the choice to leave with grace rather than fear. Any support means more than you can imagine.

Please be careful where and how you share this, please just share with people you know personally (maybe just folks in the debate community). Carmen would prefer it not be posted on social media. The current political and social climate is really scary, and we want to protect Carmen and her brother’s safety as much as possible.

Thank you for standing with them.