Rubén's asylum defense fund
Donation protected
Rubén* left Honduras with a caravan of migrants in late January. He fled his home country after his family was threatened by gang members.
"We will kill you one by one," the gang members told Rubén and his father.
After two weeks of travel across Mexico in his wheelchair, Rubén eventually made it to Juárez where a humanitarian group helped him across the border. Now, he waits for his asylum case to be heard in front of an immigration judge.
Rubén recently had two surgeries to address issues related to his paralysis, which was caused by a motorcycle accident 10 years ago. He needs money both to pay a lawyer to take his case and for his medical expenses.
While we are hopeful we can raise the $10,000 we estimate will be required to hire a good lawyer to take on Rubén's asylum claim, the more immediate need is medical supplies. Rubén uses a catheter, which means he needs about two bags and tubes each week. I've estimated the annual cost of those supplies to be $800. So for right now, I'm asking supporters to help us raise $800 so Rubén can live comfortably and without worry of how he'll afford the supplies he needs.
Additionally, we're seeking money to obtain a lawyer, not just because migrants like Rubén need them, but because I think he has an especially good asylum claim. Migrants who obtain a lawyer are five times more likely to obtain asylum, which is a group I'd like to see Rubén become a part of.
When he crossed the border, the agents told him, "We don't want you here. You can't work," because of his disability. "If I go to Honduras, no one will give me anything. I have to work," they said.
“Pedir es fuerza y dar es voluntad,” Rubén replied.
"Asking is strength and giving is will."
We're asking for your help now.
*Rubén's name has been changed to protect his and his family's identities from the threat of retribution from the gang that has threatened them.
"We will kill you one by one," the gang members told Rubén and his father.
After two weeks of travel across Mexico in his wheelchair, Rubén eventually made it to Juárez where a humanitarian group helped him across the border. Now, he waits for his asylum case to be heard in front of an immigration judge.
Rubén recently had two surgeries to address issues related to his paralysis, which was caused by a motorcycle accident 10 years ago. He needs money both to pay a lawyer to take his case and for his medical expenses.
While we are hopeful we can raise the $10,000 we estimate will be required to hire a good lawyer to take on Rubén's asylum claim, the more immediate need is medical supplies. Rubén uses a catheter, which means he needs about two bags and tubes each week. I've estimated the annual cost of those supplies to be $800. So for right now, I'm asking supporters to help us raise $800 so Rubén can live comfortably and without worry of how he'll afford the supplies he needs.
Additionally, we're seeking money to obtain a lawyer, not just because migrants like Rubén need them, but because I think he has an especially good asylum claim. Migrants who obtain a lawyer are five times more likely to obtain asylum, which is a group I'd like to see Rubén become a part of.
When he crossed the border, the agents told him, "We don't want you here. You can't work," because of his disability. "If I go to Honduras, no one will give me anything. I have to work," they said.
“Pedir es fuerza y dar es voluntad,” Rubén replied.
"Asking is strength and giving is will."
We're asking for your help now.
*Rubén's name has been changed to protect his and his family's identities from the threat of retribution from the gang that has threatened them.
Organizer
Justin Glawe
Organizer
Dallas, TX
