Isis Stability Fund – Support While I Await My Work Permit

I'm asking for help to cover rent, food, and medical expenses to get through a period of legally mandated unemployment as I await my asylum work permit. By law, I must wait 180 days after submitting my asylum application before I can legally work. During this time, I have no income, no access to unemployment, and no family support. I need help getting through this period so I can stay housed and stable until my work authorization is approved.

I never imagined I'd have to create another GoFundMe, but here I am, reaching out to my community—my found family—for support while I navigate an unexpected period of financial instability. Some of you may remember my last fundraiser, which helped cover my legal fees for my asylum application. I cannot express enough gratitude for the generosity that allowed me to take that vital step. Unfortunately, due to delays beyond my control, my application wasn't submitted in time to ensure a smooth transition between my O-1 visa and my asylum work permit. As a result, I'm now required to wait 180 days before I can legally work.

I was laid off in October, along with my entire department, which has only compounded the financial strain. As a non-citizen, I don't qualify for unemployment or other safety nets, and I have no family support. The reality is, I need help covering my essential expenses—rent, food, medical care—until my work permit comes through.

This isn't easy to ask, but if you're able to contribute, share, or just send support in any form, I would be so incredibly grateful. I've always strived to be independent, and once my work permit is approved, I will be able to support myself again. This is just about getting through this temporary, legally-mandated gap without falling into crisis.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for being the people I can turn to—you mean the world to me.

With love and gratitude,

Isis