My name is Madison Fernandez, and I am a close family friend of Malik Velimetov. I’m organizing this fundraiser because Malik and his family are going through an unimaginable crisis and urgently need support.

Malik is an incredibly caring and dependable person. He shows up every day, looks out for the people around him, and carries a sense of responsibility far beyond his age. He is someone others rely on. A steady presence, a protector, and a friend who always puts others first.

On December 28, Malik and his family's life was abruptly turned upside down. The Velimetov family was detained by federal immigration agents following a traffic stop on U.S. 1 in Marathon while traveling to the mainland for pre-planned medical appointments. Ramazan Velimetov, his wife Samira Kambarova, their 21-year-old son Malik, and their 17-year-old daughter were all taken into custody.

The family has since been separated and transported to different facilities. Malik is being held at Alligator Alcatraz in Florida

Ramazan, Samira, and their teenage daughter are being detained at a facility in Texas.

The Velimetovs have lived in Key West since 2013. They own a home, pay taxes, and are deeply rooted in our community. Ramazan owns and operates a successful trucking company which Malik also assists with. The family has maintained valid work authorization for more than a decade and has no criminal history, not even a traffic ticket.

Malik attends college in Tallahassee and their daughter attends Key West High School. Friends, neighbors, and colleagues know this family as hardworking, responsible, and kind.

Since their detention, the family has been separated across state lines, legal access has been limited and delayed, their business operations are at risk, household bills, legal costs, and basic necessities are continuing, and nobody has access to any of their accounts to help with these expenses.

This fundraiser is meant to help cover the significant and growing costs, including Immigration and legal defense, bond and detention-related expenses, travel and communication between facilities, household and medical expenses. The Velimetov family has spent more than a decade contributing to this community. Now they need their community and beyond to stand with them. They are scared. They are separated. And they cannot do this alone.

Any donation, no matter the amount, will make a real difference. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser to help us reach people who can. All funds will be used solely to support the Velimetov's during their detention and legal process. All money raised will be transferred directly to Malik and their family accountant as she is who has access to their accounts during their detention.

Thank you for your compassion, support, and solidarity during this incredibly difficult time.