I'm Abi and I'm here to ask for support for my sister Briana, her husband Alex and their three children to help reunite them and allow their family to live together.
Recently my brother in law Alex was displaced from the US during his interview in Mexico for a visa. Alex was the primary source of income for his family. Let me tell you a little about them...
My sister Briana met Alex 12 years ago when she relocated to Virginia Beach with her son as a single mom. From the start Alex stepped up not only as a partner to my sister but as a father to Dante. Alex and Bri have two beautiful daughters Isabella (11) and Cecilia (8) as well as Dante (17). Alex has been in the US for close to 20 years to try and provide a better life for himself but also for his other son Emiliano.
While Alex and Bri started their family in Virginia Beach where he worked double shifts 6 days a week as a server at a Mexican restaurant. Even while working constantly Bri and Alex built their family maximizing those minutes with all of them together. Often times it was a quick meal on a break with Alex or a late night soccer game. They cherished their full days together.
While in Virginia they hosted our family for visits multiple times. The level of care they both show as hosts makes them a pillar of comfort and strength. Both Bri and Alex are helpers and give from the bottom of their hearts. They both step in to provide help, support, love and care to their nieces and nephews, cousins and siblings. Whether it's watching the kids, helping with a project, or providing a listening ear they are consistent in their willingness to show up.
About 4 years ago they moved back to Wisconsin for a better employment opportunity for Alex but also to be closer to family. Their home is often the house we all gather at for game nights, holidays, birthday parties and cousin sleepovers. Their table is the one we sit around to share laughter, tears and celebration...food is often a big part of this. We all take turns cooking and trying things but Bri and Alex always presented something special, even when they were stretching their own resources to provide for their immediate family there was always room at the table.
Alex is one of the most hardworking and resilient people I know and he would never ask for help himself so I am asking for him and for my sister and their kids.
After over a decade long journey of attorney fees, re-applying, switching attorneys and finally a trip to Juarez for a final interview carrying a sense of hope and the dreams of new opportunities my brother in law was denied. He cannot return to the US. I picked up my sister from the airport to bring her home so she could hold her kids as she told them their papa would be staying behind in Mexico.
Bri and Alex have adventurous souls and they have presented this as an opportunity to their children, they told the girls that papa had to stay behind to find work and a home for them.
Bri, Dante, Bella and Cece all plan to go to Mexico to keep their family together by this summer.
They will need any and all help to get them there and help tide them over here while they get ready for their move.
Alex already has interviews and is currently looking for a place for them to live but on top of moving expenses Bri also has to try to replace his income and get by through the end of June as he was their primary source of income.
At every turn I am impressed by their strength and their optimism as well as their ability to turn this into an adventure and opportunity even if they don't yet know how they'll make it all happen they're putting in the work.
Please consider donating and sharing their story to support them but also to spread awareness for others like them.