Help Community Leader Cecilia Figueroa

Cecilia Figueroa was detained by ICE in Salt Lake City, Utah on Tuesday while at her immigration appointment with Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) as Trump’s ICE raids intended to target.

She was released from ICE custody but has her deportation scheduled for Monday, September 2, 2019 to a violent region of Mexico unless she can convince federal authorities to grant her a “reasonable fear” interview to remain in Utah while attorneys advocate for her case.

Cecilia is the Promotora Coordinator of Comunidades Unidas (https://www.cuutah.org/promotoras), an immigrant rights organization in Utah. Promotoras are trusted community leaders, usually belonging to the community they serve, who understand and tailor to the unique needs of their community. She has dedicated decades of her life advocating for the humane treatment of immigrants in our community. Cecilia is an asset to the state of Utah!

Cecilia’s direct family in Mexico have been victims of extreme violence. Recently, one of her nephews was kidnapped and murdered after the family paid a ransom and armed gunmen kidnapped her brother-in-law, forcibly entering her sister’s home and threatening the family. Cecilia and her family fear her return to Mexico. Her husband went through surgery two weeks ago and we all need to support her and her family.

Please donate ANY amount to help with legal fees and help this family in a time of extreme need. We really appreciate your help.


Additional Information About Cecilia Figueroa


Figueroa currently serves as Comunidades Unidas’ (CU) health outreach coordinator under a work permit, training dozens of women in Utah to be trusted community leaders who help families in their neighborhood enroll their children in school, improve their health via nutrition classes and cooking programs, and access education and financial literacy courses. She has offered dozens of workshops, reaching thousands of women across the Salt Lake Valley.

“Cecilia is a tireless advocate for others,” said Luis Garza, executive director of CU. “Because of her work, thousands of Utahns are living healthier, happier and fuller lives. We simply couldn’t do our work without people like Cecilia.”

In addition to her position at CU, Figueroa leads the Utah Public Health Association's Community Health Workers. Prior to working at CU, she was a student and health educator  at the Guadalupe School, an elementary school and community center in Rose Park. 

“Cecilia has dedicated her life to helping our community,” says Maria Montes, community engagement and advocacy coordinator for CU. “She’s a truly selfless woman who is an asset to all Utahns, helping our families be healthier and stronger. We must fight to keep her here, rather than sending her to face violence in Mexico.”

More info on how to take action: https://www.facebook.com/events/2380963568838039/