Help Katelyn Coe Benitez and her 5 children

Help My Sister’s Family Stay Together

I am writing this on behalf of my sister and her husband, Santiago Benitez, who was detained by ICE after he volutentary showed for his USCIS interview for his I130 which was approved. My sister and Santiago have been together for 11 years and are raising five children: Stella (12), Milan (9), Leo (4), Ander (1), and baby Nellie, who is not even a month old.

Santiago has no criminal history—his only immigration issue is a reentry from 13 years ago. Since then, he has built a life here as a tax-paying, hard-working father and husband. He worked six days a week to provide for his family and has already spent over $12,000 in immigration attorney fees trying to secure his legal status.

This sudden detention has left my sister, a registered nurse currently on maternity leave with no income, facing a mortgage, car payments, and the impossible challenge of raising five children without their father. The children are heartbroken. Milan, who dreams of becoming a professional baseball player, never misses a practice or a game—always looking over his shoulder to see his dad cheering proudly from the sidelines. Now, without Santiago, moments like that and even basic activities may no longer be possible.

This is not the American dream they worked so hard for. My sister and her family desperately need support to keep their home, care for the children, and continue fighting for Santiago’s return.

Please, if you can, help this family stay together. Whether through donations, sharing their story, or sharing resources, all support is welcome and deeply appreciated. From our family to yours, thank you.