Help Kaila get un-banned from the USA

Hello!

This is the reincarnation of my original crowdfund, 'American Dreamz: Post-ban legal fundraiser for Kaila Hier', which went down when YouCaring ceased- but not before successfully reaching our first goal to get the process started with my lawyer

GOAL: 5, 030 CAD / 3; 700 USD for legal fees + administrative costs

Nov 2016 in NYC before the event with Leah Shore and Pierre the Llama at the annual Acme Studio Llama Party

STORY: 

On December 2016 I was stopped on my way to NYC and held at the border and ultimately banned from entering the USA for five years for having 'worked on American soil illegally', an accusation that was grossly blown out of proportion from what I was actually doing.

EDIT: I realized in my rush to get this up I forgot to expand on this. While heading over to NYC, which I frequently visited (but never over the three months!) I was stopped and questioned by border authorities. What followed was 5 hours of intense questioning, emotional manipulation, a search into my private messages and emails on my phone, and inevitably a five year travel ban. What it boiled down to, they said, was not even my occasional festival gigs over the years- but the fact that, as a freelancer, I would answer emails while on US soils. Answering a work related email from a friend's couch in my pyjamas, to them, was breaking the law. 

I was just on the brink of setting up a new life in NYC, and sadly had everything fall apart at a great emotional and financial loss.

Since May I have been working with a lawyer to fight the ban and secure myself a O1 Visa to be able to live and work in the US. The process has been sadly slowed down by new regulations brought on by the Trump administration (ugh).

Opening night of the inaugural Brooklyn Horror Film Festival

ABOUT ME:

I'm a 28-year old Canadian who has devoted the better part of the last five of my life years to working in the film industry. I've traveled around and focused on the genre scene and offered my services as publicist to many regional festivals and small releases, while also putting an emphasis on helping emerging filmmakers launch their careers. 

I hope that by being able to re-enter the US I can continue to offer my services to a wide scope of clients and individuals, and hopefully make a difference in this wide wobly film world. 

For two years I've been living in Berlin and while it's been an amazing  experience being able to travel and see the European film scene I have not been able to secure work in a way that has lead to very much financial security as I am considered for fewer and fewer NA contract.

The longer I'm away the harder it is to build a new life in a foreign country when so many of the people I value in my life are so far away. 

Child me heading to the airport with my father

BREAKDOWN OF COSTS:

Estimated total: 5, 030 CAD / 3; 700 USD

This number includes (in USD):

Government Fees: $460 + $1,410
Union Fees - $500
Misc Legal Fees: $480
Mailing & Copy Fees: 110$

NOTE: this number is slightly rounded up due to service fees and currency conversion. I also have no expectation to handle payment solely off this fundraiser, but am forever grateful for all help that is extended. 

THANK YOU!

June 2016 outside Babycastles with Paloma Dawkins