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On August 18, 2025, my father, Byron Mejia, was detained by ICE while on his way to work. Three police cars surrounded him and took him into custody without warning. In an instant, our family’s life changed.
 We began raising funds immediately to cover legal fees and other urgent expenses related to his immigration case, including potential bond costs, rent, and the legal fight against deportation.
 Byron has been part of the Washington, DC community since 2005, when he arrived from Guatemala at just 19 years old. Over the past 20 years, he has built a life here with my mom, raised two children, and worked tirelessly to provide for our family. He is a hardworking, selfless, and compassionate man—always willing to help others and always putting his family first.
 For me, my little sister, and my mom, he has always been the heart of our family. His detention created not only an emotional crisis, but also a severe financial burden. My mom suddenly became our only source of income while we struggled to cover rent, daily living expenses, and overwhelming legal costs.

 After months of detention, court hearings, and exhausting legal battles, we finally received some good news. On December 4, 2025, my dad was released and is now able to continue fighting his case from home rather than inside a detention center. Being reunited after nearly three months apart was an emotional and life-changing moment for our family.
 However, this fight is far from over.

The government is now appealing the habeas corpus grant that allowed my dad to fight his case outside of detention. This means there is a real risk that he could be detained again. Our legal team must submit an urgent response, and this next step requires additional legal fees. We are scared, but we are not giving up. We believe in my dad, in his right to remain with his family, and in the life he has built here over two decades.

Any contribution—no matter the size—will help us continue this fight and keep our family together. If you’re unable to donate, sharing our story means just as much. We are deeply grateful for your support, generosity, and prayers during this incredibly difficult time From Kelvin Mejia and Monica Sanchez,
Son and Wife of Byron Mejia
 

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</div>El 18 de agosto de 2025, mi padre, Byron Mejia, fue detenido por ICE cuando iba camino al trabajo. Tres patrullas lo rodearon y lo llevaron bajo custodia sin previo aviso. En un instante, la vida de nuestra familia cambió por completo.

 Comenzamos a recaudar fondos de inmediato para cubrir los gastos legales y otras necesidades urgentes relacionadas con su caso de inmigración, incluyendo una posible fianza, el pago de la renta y la lucha legal en contra de la deportación.

Byron ha sido parte de la comunidad de Washington, DC desde 2005, cuando llegó de Guatemala con solo 19 años. Durante más de 20 años ha construido una vida aquí junto a mi mamá, ha criado a dos hijos y ha trabajado incansablemente para mantener a nuestra familia. Es un hombre trabajador, generoso y compasivo—siempre dispuesto a ayudar a los demás y siempre poniendo a su familia en primer lugar. Para mí, mi hermanita y mi mamá, él siempre ha sido el corazón de nuestra familia. Su detención no solo creó una crisis emocional, sino también una gran carga económica. De repente, mi mamá se convirtió en nuestra única fuente de ingresos mientras luchábamos por cubrir la renta, los gastos diarios y los abrumadores costos legales. Después de meses de detención, audiencias judiciales y una batalla legal agotadora, finalmente recibimos una buena noticia. El 4 de diciembre de 2025, mi papá fue liberado y ahora puede continuar peleando su caso desde casa en lugar de estar dentro de un centro de detención. Reunirnos después de casi tres meses separados fue un momento profundamente emotivo y que cambió nuestras vidas.
 Sin embargo, esta lucha está lejos de terminar. El gobierno ahora está apelando la orden del habeas corpus que permitió que mi papá continuara su caso fuera de detención. Esto significa que existe un riesgo real de que pueda ser detenido nuevamente. Nuestro equipo legal debe presentar una respuesta urgente, y este siguiente paso requiere gastos legales adicionales.

 Tenemos miedo, pero no nos vamos a rendir. Creemos en mi papá, en su derecho a permanecer con su familia y en la vida que ha construido aquí durante más de dos décadas. Cualquier contribución, por pequeña que sea, nos ayudará a seguir luchando y a mantener a nuestra familia unida. Si no pueden donar, compartir nuestra historia significa mucho para nosotros. Estamos profundamente agradecidos por su apoyo, su generosidad y sus oraciones en este momento tan difícil.
 De parte de Kelvin Mejia y Monica Sanchez,
Hijo y Esposa de Byron Mejia

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Keep Our Family Together – Support for Byron Mejia

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Keep Our Family Together – Support for Byron Mejia

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