At Tubman Elementary, our diversity is our strength. Over 60% of our student population speaks Spanish as their first language. Because of this, our native Spanish-speaking teachers are more than just educators—they are the heartbeat of our community, providing cultural connection, linguistic support, and a sense of belonging for our children.
Today, we are asking for your help to support two of these incredible "staples" of our school: Mr. Salgado, our Spanish teacher, and Ms. Erika our Spanish dance teacher.
The Situation
Both Mr. Salgado and Ms. Erika are dedicated teachers from Colombia working under H-1B visas. Due to a nationwide backlog at USCIS, visa extension processing times have become dangerously long and unpredictable.
In previous years, DC Public Schools (DCPS) covered the cost of "Premium Processing" to ensure teachers' extensions were handled quickly. This year, DCPS has informed our teachers they will not cover this cost.
Why This Matters
While they are currently authorized to work, the massive federal backlog creates a cloud of uncertainty. As a community, we want to ensure our teachers are safe, legal, and secure. We cannot risk a gap in their work authorization that would pull them away from their students.
Premium Processing guarantees a review within 15 days, but it comes with a steep price tag: $2,965 per person.
Our Goal: $5,930
We are raising funds to cover the total cost of expedited processing for both Mr. Salgado and Ms. Erika ($5,930 total). 100% of these funds will go directly toward their USCIS filing fees.
How You Can Help
Donate: Any amount helps. Whether it’s $10 or $100, you are directly investing in the stability of our classrooms.
Share: Please share this link with Tubman alumni, neighbors, and friends of the DC education community.
Mr. Salgado and Ms. Erika have given so much to our children. Now, it’s our turn to show up for them. Let’s make sure they can continue to teach, lead, and inspire at Tubman without fear of administrative delays.
Thank you for your support!