Jhamir came to this country to be safe. And now he’s been put behind bars.

Jhamir Hinojosa Rosa is young, twenty-three, and he is gay. He grew up in a Quechua-speaking community in rural Bolivia, and until recently, he lived there with his parents.

When Jhamir and his partner were found out, he was beaten badly – you can see the medical records – and kicked out of his family house. He and his partner were told that they would be burned alive.

Jhamir escaped to the United States. Once he got here, he filed an asylum petition on his own, with no lawyer’s help, and he got a work permit. He began working legally in construction. He has a court date this coming June.

But at a workplace raid a few weeks ago, ICE picked up Jhamir – even though is here with a work permit and a pending asylum application – and they sent him to Batavia Detention Center. Sometimes he can’t sleep in a bed there. Sometimes there isn’t enough food.

On Monday, Feb 3rd, Jhamir went in front of a judge. He was told that his options might be to get deported to Honduras or Ecuador. And his asylum claim hasn’t even been decided.

Jhamir's friends have called nonprofit after nonprofit looking for free legal assistance, but everyone is overwhelmed. One nonprofit referred him to a lawyer who can take his case for an initial $5,000. Funds will be spent on legal and related basic expenses for Jhamir. If funds can't be used for this purpose, they will be donated to a nonprofit providing direct assistance to immigrants.

Jhamir has asked us to talk to lawyers and reporters about his story. He wants these people to know what is happening to him and he wants to get help. If you can spread the word or lend a hand, please do.