Donation protected
My name is Ana María, and together with my son, José Miguel, we are a family from Colombia who arrived in the United States last September. We fled our home country to escape religious persecution and forced displacement caused by armed groups such as guerrillas and paramilitaries.
Since arriving, we have faced incredible challenges. We spent three months in Texas, but without receiving work permits or Social Security numbers, our savings quickly ran out. Unable to pay rent, we were evicted from our living space. With the support of kind-hearted members of a local church, we managed to gather enough funds to travel to Utah, hoping for a fresh start.
When we arrived in Utah, we experienced some of the hardest days of our lives. We lived on the streets for eight days, sleeping in shelter reception areas and churches until we were finally admitted to a shelter where we currently reside. Despite everything, my son José Miguel continues to persevere and is set to graduate from high school this upcoming May.
As we work to regularize our immigration status, we are facing new challenges. Due to changes in government policies, many organizations that used to offer free legal assistance to migrants are no longer able to do so. This is why I am organizing this fundraiser to raise $5,500 to hire an immigration attorney. This amount will cover the entire legal process, including document preparation and submission, legal advice, and representation during court hearings.
I am currently unemployed and have no way to gather this money on my own. The deadline to pay the attorney is May 1. For this reason, I am reaching out to you and your generosity for support. Your help would not only ensure that we have proper legal representation but also give us a chance to live in peace and safety.
We are a family who upholds strong values and principles rooted in God’s word. We entered the country legally, have no criminal records, and are not struggling with any addictions. We simply want the opportunity to build a dignified and secure future, far from the violence we left behind.
Any donation, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in our lives. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your kindness and solidarity.
Organizer
Ana Cano
Organizer
Salt Lake City, UT