<div>My name is José Fernando Yugar Cruz. I am from Bolivia.
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<div>I came to the United States to ask for protection—and I won protection from torture through my asylum case. I followed the law. I defended myself in court. I did everything the right way.
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<div>But today, I am being held in detention again.
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<div>And now, the government is trying to deport me—not to Bolivia, but to Congo, a country I have never lived in.
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<div>I have no family there. No home. No support. I don’t know what will happen to me if I am sent there.
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<div> My Story
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<div>I was detained by ICE for a year and a half while fighting my case. During that time, I was not alone.
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<div>Escucha Mi Voz Iowa and Conversations with Friends in Minnesota supported me. Because of that support, I won my case and was released in December.
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<div>I thought my fight was over.
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<div>But now, they are trying to send me away again.
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<div>I am not a criminal.
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<div>I have not harmed anyone.
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<div>I came here only to seek safety.
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<div>✊ Why I’m Asking for Help
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<div>Right now, I am fighting to stay in this country.
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<div>But if I am deported to Congo, I will need immediate support just to survive—housing, food, and basic safety. I will also need legal support to continue fighting my case.
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<div>We are raising $10,000 to cover:
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<div>⚖️ Emergency legal support
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<div> Basic living expenses if I am deported
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<div> Support and coordination in an unfamiliar country
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<div>✈️ Ongoing efforts to fight for my safety and return
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<div>Here in Iowa, I found a new family.
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<div>Escucha Mi Voz.
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<div>The Catholic Worker House where I lived.
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<div>People who stood with me when I had nothing.
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<div>You are my family.
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<div> My Message
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<div>I am asking you now:
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<div>Please stand with me.
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<div>I believe that with your support, we can win again.
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<div>I believe in people power.
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<div>I believe in justice.
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<div>Thank you for standing with me, for fighting with me, and for supporting people like me.
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<div>We are going to win.
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<div>— José Fernando Yugar Cruz
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BRUCE HOCHSTETLER

Doug Schumacher

Phil Runkel

Anonymous

Sadie Kirschenman

Jerry Johnson

Mingyuan Zhang

Margaret York-Jesme

Jami Maxson

Marianne Smith

Meaghan Harding

Jerry Depew

Amy Krieger

Susan Van Woert

Jamie Sickels-Lampe

Help Me Fight Deportation to Congo

Help Me Fight Deportation to Congo

Todavía faltan $2,708. Ayúdanos a conseguir impulso.