Help Us Raise Legal Assistance Fees for Our Friend Detained by ICE

My name is Athena Chin, and I am writing on behalf of my friend, E. I am keeping her name private for security and legal reasons. E has been a vital part of our Brooklyn community—kind, hardworking, and deeply loved.

On November 4th, R was unexpectedly detained by ICE during his routine annual check-in in Dallas, TX—a check-in he has completed without issue every year since arriving in the United States. R is a 33-year-old stateless Palestinian. His family is originally from Al-Ramla and was displaced in 1948, leaving them without a recognized homeland. R was born a refugee in Saudi Arabia, a country that does not grant citizenship to Palestinian refugees. He arrived in the U.S. in late 2017 and immediately sought asylum, hoping to finally find safety, stability, and a place where he and his family could belong.

Despite years of full compliance with every DHS requirement, R was detained during his appointment this month. His court hearing is scheduled for December 4th, 2025—giving his family less than a month to secure qualified legal representation and prepare his case. The urgency cannot be overstated. R has no citizenship—only a Palestinian travel document. His family, including my dear friend E, is extremely worried about his health and well-being while in detention.

R is the heart of their family: a devoted son, brother, and uncle, and the primary caretaker for his mother and young nephews. His sudden detention has left them devastated.

THE ASK: R’s family urgently needs funds to retain an experienced attorney for his asylum/withholding of removal case and to pursue his release or bond. All donations will go directly toward attorney fees, filing costs, and essential legal expenses necessary to fight for his freedom.

Please help us bring R home. Thank you for standing with this family during an unimaginably difficult time.