Help LGBTQ asylum seekers fight their case
Donation protected
Hi, friends
As many of you know, there was a caravan of LGBTQ people who fled Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and México to escape life-threatening situations. This campaign is for two of them.
Saúl and Patrick are both in their early twenties and left Honduras in June and October 2018, respectively. They entered this country legally and presented themselves at the border, seeking asylum. The main image for this campaign is an actual photo of them in line to start their new lives . They are both persecuted in Honduras due to their sexual orientation and their political leanings.
We are seeking to host them, provide a home for them, and help acclimate them to this country while they attempt to have their asylum case heard. Our new friend Paula is sponsoring Saúl; Alex and I are sponsoring Patrick.
But first we must get them out of detention.
When they first arrived, Saúl and Patrick were sent to Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility (see the link below ). It is a for-profit prison. In mid-March, Saúl and Patrick were transferred to the facility they are presently at, Jackson Parish Correctional Center. The problem with facilities such as these is that there are no immigration services and nearby immigration attorneys. As reported by the linked Mother Jones article, the closest immigration attorney is fifty miles away.
Patrick, pictured here, celebrated his 24th birthday in detention. He made the trip from Tegucigalpa in a caravan with others, but he did not know anyone. When Patrick arrived in Tijuana, he volunteered as a cook. Even in his time of need, he was helping people.
This is Saul. He is a talented artist. In the letters he’s sent us, the margins are decorated with music notes. He dreams of being a mechanic and loves the art of giving life to cars.
Alex and I got involved late last year through his friend Michael. Michael has been working at the border with many migrants, helping them and finding sponsors for asylum seekers.
Paula, Alex, and I are asking for money for several elements of this fight:
-Lawyers. It’s difficult enough to find a pro-bono or low-bono lawyer; it’s even harder to find one who will take a case in a rural area. We are asking a judge to release our compás to our custody.
-Bail. The fortunate asylum seekers that are released to families and sponsors are often tasked with paying a bond.
-Day-to-day support. At the facility holding Patrick, he has reported that the commissary charges $2.50 for a can of soda. We have sent care packages to Patrick and Saúl, consisting of basic items like socks, underwear, towels, and other items that are insanely marked up. They are able to make outgoing phone calls, but they are 21 cents a minute.
-LAWYERS. Once our compás are released, that’s not the end of their fight. They will still have to face another day in court in which they will ask to stay here. This court date could potentially not happen for many years.
Patrick can be seen in the above video at around the 47 second mark. It was rainy that day, and there’s a water drop on his face for most of the shot.
Even if you are unable to donate, please share this campaign.
Thank you, friends.
Paula, Alex, and David
Some further reading:
A Mother Jones profile of the first facility Saúl and Patrick were sent to
The dangers of LGBTQ folks in Central America
Amnesty International’s report on LBGTQ Central Americans
As many of you know, there was a caravan of LGBTQ people who fled Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and México to escape life-threatening situations. This campaign is for two of them.
Saúl and Patrick are both in their early twenties and left Honduras in June and October 2018, respectively. They entered this country legally and presented themselves at the border, seeking asylum. The main image for this campaign is an actual photo of them in line to start their new lives . They are both persecuted in Honduras due to their sexual orientation and their political leanings.
We are seeking to host them, provide a home for them, and help acclimate them to this country while they attempt to have their asylum case heard. Our new friend Paula is sponsoring Saúl; Alex and I are sponsoring Patrick.
But first we must get them out of detention.
When they first arrived, Saúl and Patrick were sent to Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility (see the link below ). It is a for-profit prison. In mid-March, Saúl and Patrick were transferred to the facility they are presently at, Jackson Parish Correctional Center. The problem with facilities such as these is that there are no immigration services and nearby immigration attorneys. As reported by the linked Mother Jones article, the closest immigration attorney is fifty miles away.
Patrick, pictured here, celebrated his 24th birthday in detention. He made the trip from Tegucigalpa in a caravan with others, but he did not know anyone. When Patrick arrived in Tijuana, he volunteered as a cook. Even in his time of need, he was helping people.
This is Saul. He is a talented artist. In the letters he’s sent us, the margins are decorated with music notes. He dreams of being a mechanic and loves the art of giving life to cars.
Alex and I got involved late last year through his friend Michael. Michael has been working at the border with many migrants, helping them and finding sponsors for asylum seekers.
Paula, Alex, and I are asking for money for several elements of this fight:
-Lawyers. It’s difficult enough to find a pro-bono or low-bono lawyer; it’s even harder to find one who will take a case in a rural area. We are asking a judge to release our compás to our custody.
-Bail. The fortunate asylum seekers that are released to families and sponsors are often tasked with paying a bond.
-Day-to-day support. At the facility holding Patrick, he has reported that the commissary charges $2.50 for a can of soda. We have sent care packages to Patrick and Saúl, consisting of basic items like socks, underwear, towels, and other items that are insanely marked up. They are able to make outgoing phone calls, but they are 21 cents a minute.
-LAWYERS. Once our compás are released, that’s not the end of their fight. They will still have to face another day in court in which they will ask to stay here. This court date could potentially not happen for many years.
Patrick can be seen in the above video at around the 47 second mark. It was rainy that day, and there’s a water drop on his face for most of the shot.
Even if you are unable to donate, please share this campaign.
Thank you, friends.
Paula, Alex, and David
Some further reading:
A Mother Jones profile of the first facility Saúl and Patrick were sent to
The dangers of LGBTQ folks in Central America
Amnesty International’s report on LBGTQ Central Americans
Fundraising team (2)
David Martinez
Organizer
Oxnard, CA
MeltICE LA Hive
Team member
