Keep Veronica United with Her Family

We are fundraising to help Veronica remain in the United States permanently with her family.

Veronica is a military spouse and the wife of Sgt. Ricardo Pineda, a 100% disabled veteran who honorably served the United States during her time of need. Despite his service to the U.S. Army and the military's policy on family unification, Sgt. Pineda was never able to fix his wife's immigration status. Veronica and Ricardo have four children, all U.S. citizens. Two of their children have serious neurological disorders, including cerebral palsy and permanent brain injury that resulted after receiving pediatric heart surgery. Veronica is the primary caretaker for many of her family members, including her husband and special needs children. She is desperately needed by her family in the United States.

The Rhizome Center for Migrants met Veronica in Guadalajara, Mexico. The family made the decision to leave the United States in an attempt to correct Veronica's immigration situation. However, the conditions proved to be too overwhelming for the family and in the end, only Veronica and her son, who is brain damaged and requires an immediate heart valve replacement, remained in Mexico, causing the family additional anxiety over Juan's health condition and safety.

The Rhizome Center for Migrants was able to help Veronica return to the United States with parole earlier this year and reunite with her family. Her parole expires next year. In the meantime, we are working hard to ensure that Veronica's return to her family will be permanent, and we are preparing her adjustment of status application. The associated filing fees total $2,490, an enormous price for a family that is still reestablishing itself in the United States while preparing for Juan's upcoming surgery. Any additional amount raised will be transferred to the family.

You can read more about Veronica's story here: https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/san-diego-news/u-s-veteran-reunites-with-family-at-the-border-his-wife-may-have-long-road-to-citizenship.