Days after celebrating their wedding, my niece's husband, Nelson Contreras-Gelves, was taken by ICE over the weekend. And we need your help.

Nelson is a Venezuelan asylum seeker with no criminal record and he was detained by ICE during his routine immigration appointment. After attending a regularly scheduled appointment in Philadelphia, he was told to return on Saturday because "the kiosk was broken." Although the office is not typically open on Saturdays, he followed the instructions he was given. When he returned, he was taken into ICE custody.

Nelson was in the National Guard in Venezuela. He refused orders to harm civilian protesters and was threatened with imprisonment and death. This caused him to seek asylum in the U.S. He surrendered himself at the US border to seek protection under U.S. asylum laws. He has complied with all instructions provided by immigration authorities. He has been in asylum proceedings and appeared voluntarily for his scheduled appointments.

Nelson has been an active member of southern Chester County, Pennsylvania since his arrival. After a year of working overnight at a mushroom farm in Kennett Square, he started volunteering nearly every day he could at the Mighty Writers food pantry in Toughkenamon. This is a man who supports his community and family.

My niece Ariel is now facing an overwhelming legal and financial crisis. She is working with a legal team that is moving quickly to protect Nelson's rights, including filing an emergency habeas corpus petition while he remains in Pennsylvania. However, there are many costs including travel, communication expenses while Nelson is detained, and the loss of the household's primary income.

This fundraiser will help cover:

Every donation, no matter the amount, will help Ariel navigate this difficult and uncertain time. If you are unable to contribute financially, please consider sharing this fundraiser and contacting your elected representatives to express concern about the detention of asylum seekers and other immigrants during routine immigration appointments.

Thank you for standing with Ariel and Nelson! Your generosity and advocacy mean everything as they work toward bringing Nelson home.