On January 13, our family experienced something we never imagined would happen to us.
My daughter-in-law was detained by ICE in Minneapolis after being taken from a vehicle by individuals in an unmarked car and initially held at Fort Snelling. She is an asylum seeker from Venezuela. Entered the country legally, has a valid work permit, has followed all required legal procedures, including marriage paperwork to my son to continue actively pursuing a lawful path to permanent residency. She has no criminal record and has fully complied with the legal process at every step—yet was detained despite doing everything required under the law.
She was transferred to El Paso within 24 hours, despite Lawyers attempts to keep her in Minnesota. Our immigration attorney has submitted a bond application in El Paso, and the bond hearing is scheduled for January 22.
The financial burden has been overwhelming and immediate. We are raising funds to cover:
- Immigration attorney and legal fees
- Bond costs (which have become extremely high and unpredictable)
- Emergency travel to El Paso for the bond hearing
- Travel back to Minnesota if she is released
We have been told that many people are being pressured to self-deport simply because bond amounts are set so high that families cannot afford them. If she is granted bond, individuals are often released outside the detention facility with no support, left to figure out transportation and safety on their own.
This fund is about keeping our family together, ensuring access to due process, and getting her home safely.
If donations exceed our immediate needs, any remaining funds will be donated to the Immigration Law Center of Minnesota, who provide pro bono legal defense for immigrants detained by ICE, so other families do not have to face this alone: https://www.ilcm.org
We are deeply grateful for any support. Thank you for standing with our family during this incredibly difficult time. Stay strong and stay safe out there America, this is far from over.
With gratitude,
Misha Johnson & family



