My family is going through an incredibly difficult time. My uncle and aunt have always followed the rules, attending their regular yearly check-ins with ICE since the early 1990s. Despite their compliance, they were suddenly detained during one of these check-ins and held for over four months. During their detention, they were denied access to the medications they need for serious health conditions, and their health deteriorated as a result. The authorities did not respond appropriately to their medical needs, and our family was left in the dark about their well-being.

The situation became even more distressing when my aunt was transferred to Florence, Arizona, without any notification to our family or their attorney. We received conflicting information, including a false report that she had been deported to Georgia, when in reality she was being moved between facilities. Both my uncle and aunt are considered stateless after living in the former USSR, and the threat of deportation to an unknown country has been terrifying for all of us.

Thankfully, they were released on January 16, 2026, but the struggle is far from over. They now face a challenging legal battle to appeal their case to the BIA and the 9th Circuit. The legal and lawyer fees are overwhelming, and we are reaching out for help to cover these costs so our family can stay together and fight for their future. If you are able to donate, any contribution makes a meaningful difference. If donating is not possible, sharing this fundraiser helps more than you know.