Help Us Keep An American Dream Alive For An Immigrant Couple

My partner, Sonaar Luthra, and I are raising money for an immigrant couple. Right before they arrived in California in early February, the US Government (unlawfully) cut off all the support they were promised.

As a first-generation American and a child of a refugee respectively, Sonaar & I have spent years volunteering with the State Department to help immigrants & refugees relocate to this country—and it was through that network that we were connected to them. Though we’ve never done resettlement work & this falls far outside our experience, when we heard their story we volunteered to do whatever we can to fill this huge gap and launched this fundraiser to support their American Dream.

He’s a civil engineer who built dams, bridges, and renewable energy installations for USAID & NATO – work which led our government to promise he would be able to seek a better life in this country. He obtained an MSc in the UK while awaiting US approval. Similarly, she obtained her LLM and supported asylum seekers as an Immigration Advisor with UK charities. Although they’d hoped to build up savings before their move to America, they were also aware that, given the way things have been going, this would be their only chance to emigrate.

They both have a deep passion for service and helping those in need, and we are confident that with their tenacity and professional backgrounds full of in-demand skills, they will be extraordinary assets to our country if they have the economic safety required to gain employment in their professions.

Like our families, they arrived with almost no money and almost no possessions. They left their lives and families behind to come here because they believed that the promises the United States made (and, of course, it has now broken) would enable them to seek a better life in this country.

This fundraiser is an effort to cover basic necessities during this transition, like food, housing & clothing so they can get situated in their new lives.

We know these are extraordinary times for everyone. If you are able to contribute to salvaging their American dream, two of some of the last immigrants we’re likely to swear in as US citizens for the foreseeable future need all the support they can get.

All funds (minus the standard GoFundMe transaction fees) will go directly to the couple to support their basic needs during this transition.

As you may have noticed, given the current climate, we’re avoiding sharing any potentially identifying information about this couple for their safety & privacy, but we are happy to answer any questions you have.

Thank you for even thinking about this! Please share with anyone you think might be able to help. Sending hugs and solidarity!

Cheers,

Sarah Szalavitz & Sonaar Luthra