On January 20, 2026, Maklim Gomez Escalante, a 35-year-old father from Brentwood, arrived for a scheduled court appearance in which he was subpoenaed to appear as a witness of a crime. Upon arriving to the local magistrate, he was greeted by plainclothes ICE officers and was ILLEGALLY taken into custody, without either a warrant or cause. Maklim was first taken to a facility in West Virginia- far from home, his community, and his family — without explanation, and with his wife left in the dark about his whereabouts and well-being.
Maklim and his wife, Natalia Garcia de Gomez, came to the United States in 2021, fleeing extreme violence and corruption in El Salvador, and seeking safety for their family. Since arriving to the US, they have LEGALLY followed the pathway of filing for asylum, have obtained valid work permits/SS numbers, and are tax-paying residents. Neither Maklim nor Natalia have any sort of criminal record. Since Maklim's illegal detention, the family has struggled with not knowing where Maklim is being held/moved to, and whether he has access to proper medical care or legal representation.
Most heartbreaking of all, Maklim’s two young children, 6 year old Ximena and almost 2 year old Eduardo, are now living without their father’s daily presence and support. Something that no child should ever have to experience.
This sudden upheaval has placed an enormous emotional and financial burden on the Garcia Gomez-Escalante family. They are not only facing their usual bills (rent, utilities, groceries, childcare), but are trying desperately to secure basic legal representation and to navigate a currently complex immigration system. With the influx in recent ICE activity, they have been unable to obtain any pro-bono help, and are now faced with paying thousands of dollars for legal assistance as they seek justice.
We are humbly asking for the community's help in raising funds to:
-Help cover legal expenses to fight for Maklim’s release and to continue the family’s asylum/immigration case.
-Support the family’s everyday needs, including rent, food, and childcare costs while Maklim remains detained.
-Give Ximena and Eduardo stability and care in a time of uncertainty.
We can assure you that your donation, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference. If you are unable to donate, sharing this campaign with your network helps amplify their story and brings them closer to the support they urgently need.
A link to an article recently published by the Tribune Review can be found here- Salvadoran family in Brentwood seeks answers .
Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and support for the Garcia Gomez-Escalante family. The weight of the world has been heavy on all of us lately, but together we can lift those most affected up and help them continue forward.
With sincere gratitude,
Becca and the Garcia Gomez-Escalante Family