Our family is asking for help as we continue navigating the aftermath of one of the most difficult chapters of our lives.

On March 14, our dad, Gerardo Reyes Gonzalez, was detained following what began as a traffic stop involving my brother. What followed changed our lives overnight.

For 77 days, our dad remained in immigration detention while our family fought tirelessly for his freedom. During that time, we faced overwhelming legal expenses, emotional trauma, and the painful reality of being separated from the person who has always been the heart of our family.

Throughout this process, serious concerns were raised about the actions that led to his detention. The San Marcos Police officer involved Jaciel Cortina was found to have violated three department policies and ultimately received only a 24-hour suspension. While accountability was minimal, the consequences for our family were life-changing.

After months of fighting, filing motions, attending hearings, speaking out publicly, and refusing to give up, a federal judge granted our dad's Habeas Corpus petition. He was finally released and reunited with our family after 77 long days.

We are beyond grateful to have him home.

But the reality is that coming home did not make everything go back to normal.

Although he has been released, our dad is currently unable to work until he receives employment authorization. We have been informed that obtaining a work permit could take several months. As the primary provider for our family, this has created an ongoing financial hardship at a time when we are already trying to recover from months of legal expenses and lost income.

Adding to these challenges, our mom has been permanently disabled since being seriously injured by a drunk driver several years ago and is unable to work. For years, our dad has been the one carrying the financial burden for our household while also caring for our family.

Like many families, we thought that once he was released, life would finally begin returning to normal. Instead, we are now facing a new reality: rebuilding after months of trauma while trying to survive without our family's primary source of income.

The detention center released our dad, but our family is still paying the price every day.

We are asking for help to:

• Cover ongoing immigration and legal expenses

• Support our household while our dad remains unable to work

• Help with essential bills, groceries, transportation, and medical needs

• Give our family the opportunity to rebuild and heal after this ordeal

For 77 days, our family lived with uncertainty, fear, and heartbreak. We fought every day to bring our dad home, and we are incredibly thankful that he is finally back where he belongs. But after months without income, mounting legal costs, and the continued inability for him to work, we are now facing the difficult task of rebuilding our lives from the ground up.

Every donation, share, and prayer means more than we can express.

If you are unable to donate, sharing our story is another powerful way to help.

Thank you for standing with us, believing in us, and helping us through this journey. Your support has helped carry us through our darkest days, and we will never forget the kindness shown to our family.