Today, at 2:08 p.m., everything changed for my family. My mom received a phone call that no family ever expects to get. My dad, who was working a roofing job in Bemidji, Minnesota over four hours away from our home in Inver Grove Heights, had been caught in an ICE operation at the apartment complex where he was working. Some of his coworkers were able to run, but many others, including my dad, were detained. The moment I heard the news, I dropped everything and got in my car, driving toward Bemidji without knowing if my dad was hiding somewhere or if he had already been taken into custody. Every mile felt endless as I prayed for good news. About two hours into the drive, my mom called me again. Through tears, she told me that videos and pictures had surfaced showing my dad sitting on the ground in handcuffs. That image is something our family will never forget. The only thing I could do was pick up his work van and bring it home. 
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 My dad is the heart of our family. He is one of the hardest-working people I know and someone I have always looked up to. He wakes up before the sun rises and comes home late at night, sacrificing his own comfort to make sure our family has everything we need. No matter how tired he is, he always asks how everyone is doing and makes sure the people he loves are okay. He is kind, selfless, intelligent, and deeply family-oriented. He has spent his life putting others before himself, asking for nothing in return except the chance to provide for his wife and children. Right now, we don’t know where he is or what will happen next. We are facing uncertainty, fear, and a long legal process that we know will be expensive. My mom does not currently work, and my dad is our family’s main source of income. 
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 I never imagined I would have to ask for help like this. My family has always worked hard for everything we have, but today we are facing something we cannot handle alone. Any donation, no matter how small, will help us cover legal expenses, household bills, and support our family during this incredibly difficult time. Your support means more than words can express, and we are deeply grateful for any help you can give. Keeping my dad in your prayers would mean the world to us. Thank you for standing with our family during one of the hardest moments of our lives. We are holding onto hope that we will see my dad again soon.

Anonymous

Laura Guzman

Patricia Meyer

Nia Steinhagen

Help Our Family After ICE Operation

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