Support Taliyah's Fight to Stay in America

Our cherished Taliyah was born on an American Air Force base in the Philippines. After the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, she and her mother were emergently evacuated by the US military and brought to Guam. From there they were moved around to different military bases throughout the country. After yet another series of unfortunate events, Taliyah spent time in foster care, group homes and oftentimes ran away to a safe space at her friend’s house with their families. After all the traumatic experiences that​ Taliyah grew up with she was determined not to succumb to the darkness that she came from. Her only want was to help others in dark and difficult times so that they never felt as alone and frightened as she did. Taliyah obtained her CNA license at 16 years old and worked while finishing high school with the support of her wonderful teachers and friends. She then went off to become the magnificent nurse that she is today.

In college, just like any other eager young adult, she applied for her passport. It was during this process that she began to learn about issues regarding her citizenship. Years passed while Taliyah worked hard for her nursing degree, that coupled with the ever changing political climate she was unable to thoroughly address her citizenship. About 4 years ago, Taliyah hired an immigration attorney to help with her case to prove citizenship, obtain a passport, travel and most importantly keep her in the only home she knows.

Despite the evidence that has been compiled by her team throughout the years, The Department of Citizenship and Immigration has verbalized their plans to deny Taliyah’s filing come December 2024. Taliyah was brought to this country as an infant. She has grown up here, gone to school here, paid taxes to the government here, and contributed to anything and everything any “legal” citizen of the US has. She was even issued a social security card and works as one of the most amazing nurses in this country. A country where there is a severe nursing shortage and who continually brings nurses over from the Philippines to work here. A country where she served working as a nurse on the frontlines of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Yet the people behind the curtains still say that she is not/nor has she even been a US citizen. Sadly, her parents, the people that should have guided her, instead met Taliyah with gross abuse, negligence, and sheer disregard. That mixed with the incompetence of a multitude of our “systems”, Taliyah faces the potential reality of having to go back to a place she doesn’t even remember.

Everything has now culminated to the point where Taliyah’s only option is to hire additional local representation to help her navigate this difficult, tedious, and unrelenting process. We have hope that she will be able to obtain a Humanitarian Visa with the help of her new lawyers which will pave her way to citizenship and most importantly prevent her from having to face any more adversity. Taliyah has been fighting this battle for the better half of her adult life all while continuing to be one of the most upstanding humans in our society. All these years have been an immense mental and emotional tax on her, but also financial as well. With the current climate of the US, Taliyah and her case may have detrimental consequences. We are asking for help for her legal fees & any further costs she faces in this process. Any donation is greatly appreciated.

Regardless of her citizenship status, if you know Taliyah then you know that you’re always going to have a blast by her side. Not only is she one of the best nurses that I have ever worked with, she is an even better friend. To know her is to be graced by class, elegance, positivity, and compassion. Let's work to keep our girl here with us!