Help Jose Rebuild His Massage Therapy Business

Help Jose Rebuild His Massage Therapy Business After Unjust Deportation

Hi, my name is Jose Rodriguez, founder of MassageTherapyByJR—a healing practice I built with love, dedication, and a deep calling to support others through recovery from surgery, injury, emotional stress, and burnout using therapeutic touch.

On March 29, 2025, my life was suddenly turned upside down.

While returning from a weekend church retreat in San Diego, I was routed by Google Maps to a gas station located inside a military base. Upon entry, military personnel asked me to present proof of my legal status in the U.S. I complied, showing my work permit—which was expired but already in the renewal process.

Despite having no criminal record and no prior deportation order, I was detained for two weeks in an immigration prison—and then deported to El Salvador.

I was never given the opportunity to speak to a deportation officer or plead my case before a judge.

Just like that, I lost my home, my livelihood, my clients, my sense of safety—and was forcibly separated from my disabled brother, whom I help care for. All of it happened without warning, and without a plan.

What I’ve Been Doing Since

This sudden deportation has been deeply traumatic. I returned to El Salvador as an orphan, having lost both of my parents and grandparents over the last five years. There was no one waiting for me here. I arrived to a life I no longer recognized.

Despite the grief and shock, I’ve been doing everything I can to stay grounded and move forward. In the last few weeks, I’ve worked tirelessly to:

Relocate safely in El Salvador

Reunite with my two beloved dogs

Begin the complex legal process to return

Keep my business alive—remotely

Why I’m Asking for Your Help

My massage therapy practice in Los Angeles is currently on hold—but my heart for healing remains strong.

I’ve made the decision to continue my work from abroad by:

Training new therapists virtually to uphold the clinical care and personalized approach my clients have come to expect

Maintaining rent on my Santa Monica studio so there’s something to come back to

Supporting my disabled brother and pets, who depend on me daily

But the truth is: this deportation left me with no savings, no safety net, and no way to recover alone.

How Your Support Will Help

Your donation—of any size—will directly support:

✅ Rent for my healing studio in Santa Monica

✅ Legal fees to begin my immigration appeal

✅ Basic living expenses for myself and my pets

✅ Training of qualified therapists to care for my LA clients

✅ Long-term efforts to rebuild and return to the work I love

From My Heart to Yours

I miss my brother. I miss my work. I miss my clients. I miss my church.

And I miss the beautiful community I was building with so much intention in Los Angeles.

But I know healing doesn’t stop just because life takes a hard turn.

If my work has ever supported your healing—or if you believe in second chances—I humbly ask for your support.

Even if you’re unable to give financially, sharing this page with your friends, clients, or community makes a real impact.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing by me during this incredibly difficult moment.

With love and deep gratitude,

Jose Rodriguez

Founder, MassageTherapyByJR

WhatsApp: +503 7068-0996