I know this story might seem a little long, and honestly, at first I was embarrassed to share it. I’m not the kind of person who usually asks for help. I’ve always tried to solve things on my own and support my parents in every way I can. But the truth is, the need and the circumstances have left me with no other choice. From the bottom of my heart, thank you if you take the time to read this until the end.

Almost four years ago, we came to this country seeking asylum and a better life. Since then, it has been a very difficult journey for my family and me, one that many immigrants who have had to start from zero in this country can understand. Despite all the challenges, I also know that the opportunities here are immense, and that all the effort and hard work will one day pay off. However, I never imagined that my family and I would go through something like this.

We live legally in this country, with all our documents in order, and yet, 22 days ago, my mom was detained by ICE while driving on I-95 on her way home after dropping off my two younger brothers at school. There is nothing more painful than knowing that your mom — the kindest, most humble, and respectful person you know, someone who has never hurt anyone and has never committed a crime — is now spending her nights in a detention center, thousands of miles away from home in Louisiana, that feels more like a prison than anything else: with no privacy to shower, sharing a room with over a hundred women, far from her family, alone, and afraid.

The funds from this campaign will be used mainly to cover my mom’s attorney, bond and plane ticket expenses, so that she can regain her freedom while continuing her immigration process. My mom has always been the heart of our family. She was the one who took care of the house, looked after my siblings, and kept everything in order. Since she was detained, our entire life has completely changed. Now it’s my dad and me trying to keep everything running at home. I have an older brother who is deaf and nonverbal, and although he helps us a lot — cleaning and doing everything he can around the house — there are many things he cannot do on his own. Even though he knows how to drive, he hasn’t been able to get a license because of his disability. My dad used to work long hours every day to support all of us, but lately, he’s had to reduce his work hours to take care of my younger siblings, which has affected our finances a lot.

As for me, I do everything I can to help — I cook, help my siblings with their homework, and at the same time, try to keep up with my college studies. Still, the emotional and financial burden has become very hard to carry without my mom. That’s why today, with all the humility in the world, we are asking for help.

Any help, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to having my mom back home with us, where she belongs. We miss her

every single day — her voice, her smile, her presence. Your support means more to us than words can express, whether it’s through a donation or simply by sharing this story.