I am asking for your help as I work to rebuild my life after an experience that changed me forever.

I came to the United States from Yangon, Myanmar, when I was just 8 years old. I arrived legally with my father and older brother, holding a valid B-2 visa. America became my home. In 2007, I properly adjusted my immigration status and became a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

For decades, I built my life here, worked toward my future, and dreamed of accomplishing something many people take for granted: owning my first home.

Then everything changed.

A wrongful arrest and an unexpected ICE detention

On June 22, 2025, I was wrongfully arrested. I was ultimately released on my own recognizance after the judge determined there was no probable cause and apologized to me.

I thought I was finally going home.

But as I was being processed for release, an ICE agent appeared. I was taken into immigration custody and transported to the Central Arizona Florence Correctional Complex in Florence, Arizona, operated by CoreCivic.

I went from believing I was finally going home to being taken into federal immigration detention.

Because my immigration case had been transferred from Phoenix to Florence, I spent approximately three months in ICE detention before even having my first immigration court hearing.

What followed was nearly a year of uncertainty, fear, and separation from my family, loved ones, and community.

Fighting for protection because of who I am

I am a queer person from Myanmar, a country that has experienced military dictatorship and where LGBTQ+ people face serious persecution and criminalization.

During my immigration proceedings, I sought protection based on the danger I would face if returned to Myanmar.

Honorable Immigration Judge Nancy E. Miller ultimately granted me withholding of removal, recognizing that I had established grounds for protection from being removed to Myanmar.

But even after receiving that relief, I remained in ICE custody.

I had already spent thousands of dollars on attorneys and legal expenses. The money I had worked so hard to save was money I had hoped to use toward purchasing my first home—the American dream I had spent years working toward.

Instead, it was consumed by the legal and financial consequences of my detention and immigration proceedings.

I eventually had to fight for my freedom myself

After months in detention, I learned about something called a habeas corpus petition, a legal mechanism that can be used to challenge unlawful or prolonged detention.

With the help and encouragement of family, friends, and members of my community, I filed my habeas corpus petition pro se—meaning I represented myself—on February 3, 2026.

On May 7, 2026, Honorable United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa granted my habeas corpus petition and ordered ICE to release me from custody within 48 hours.

After approximately 11.5 months in ICE detention, I was finally coming home.

I will never forget what it felt like to walk out and see my family and loved ones again.

Now I need help rebuilding

I am incredibly grateful to be home.

But coming home did not mean the financial consequences disappeared.

The money I had saved for my future was depleted by legal expenses and everything associated with this prolonged ordeal. I am now trying to rebuild financially while also dealing with approximately $45,000 in immigration-related legal fees and expenses.

That is why I am asking for help.

My goal is to raise $45,000 to help pay my outstanding immigration attorney fees and recover financially from the enormous costs this experience created.

Every contribution—no matter how large or small—will make a meaningful difference.

If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser with your friends, family, coworkers, or community would mean just as much to me.

After everything that happened, my greatest hope is simply to have the opportunity to rebuild the life I worked so hard to create in America.

I came here as an 8-year-old child.

I grew up here.

I built my life here.

And after everything I have endured, I am incredibly grateful to finally be home.

Thank you for reading my story, for believing in me, and for helping me take the next step toward rebuilding my future.

With gratitude!