Legal Support for Guatemalan Family seeking Asylum
Donation protected
Juana and her three daughters (ages 11, 15, 17 years old) fled Guatemala seeking asylum in the United States. Like many families coming from Central America, they were fleeing unspeakable hardship, violence and poverty. After an incredibly treacherous journey here, they spent 3 weeks in an overcrowded ICE detention center in Texas where they did not have food, toiletries, showers, a place to sleep or anything for the first three days. They were lucky to get released to contacts here in Boston willing to support them as they undergo the asylum process which could take 1-2 years.
We have secured a FABULOUS immigration lawyer willing to take their case (all four of them) at a very reasonable and discounted price (on a payment plan), but it is still beyond what they could ever afford. There is also their food and daily living expenses, transport costs etc which we are covering at the moment as a group until the mother is granted work authorization (could be a long while).
If you are able to help with the legal fees a donation of any amount is so appreciated.
If you are able to help in other ways here are other needs:
Gift cards to TJ Maxx, Target or CVS for personal items such as underwear etc but also:
-toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, sunscreen)
-feminine hygiene products
-hairbrushes
-over the counter medications for cough etc
Gift cards to Shaws/Star Market, Stop and Shop (Trader Joes, Whole Foods ok too), so they can buy food or personal products/toiletries etc.
They also just came with the clothes on their back so are in need of clothes as well for the current and upcoming seasons.
Laura: Age 11
Shirts: Girls Large (size 10/12)
Pants/Shorts: Girls M (7/8)
(has one pair or shorts only)
Shoes: Size 6
Brenda: Age 15
Shirts: Girls XL or Women's small
Pants: 0/25R
Shoes: 6.5
(she has one pair of shorts)
Lily: Age 17
Shirts: Girls XL or Women's small
Pants: 0/25R
Shoes: Size 6
(she has one pair of shorts)
Juana (mother): Age 37
Shirt: Large, XL
Pants: Stretchy size large- or gift card to try her own on
Shoes: Size 9
Additional items needed include:
-pajamas
-socks
-jackets
-sweatshirts
-raincoats
-boots
-winter wear for the future
-towels
We are not sure yet where they will be living in the fall and where they will be enrolled in school, but the effort to support this family will be a marathon not a sprint so if right now is not a good time to get involved please check in in the future!
You are also welcome to send along letters of welcome and encouragement in Spanish, to help with rides or accompaniment to regular court dates, providing ESL lessons, navigating signing up for health care, cooking a meal etc. The sky is the limit!
At a time when the needs seem so overwhelming and endless with the number of asylum seekers at the border and the deplorable conditions many have had to endure in the detention centers, I am so grateful to have an opportunity to help in a very small way with one family.
With sincere appreciation for your care and support even if it is just sending the family your prayers and good wishes,
Eliza Petrow
We have secured a FABULOUS immigration lawyer willing to take their case (all four of them) at a very reasonable and discounted price (on a payment plan), but it is still beyond what they could ever afford. There is also their food and daily living expenses, transport costs etc which we are covering at the moment as a group until the mother is granted work authorization (could be a long while).
If you are able to help with the legal fees a donation of any amount is so appreciated.
If you are able to help in other ways here are other needs:
Gift cards to TJ Maxx, Target or CVS for personal items such as underwear etc but also:
-toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, sunscreen)
-feminine hygiene products
-hairbrushes
-over the counter medications for cough etc
Gift cards to Shaws/Star Market, Stop and Shop (Trader Joes, Whole Foods ok too), so they can buy food or personal products/toiletries etc.
They also just came with the clothes on their back so are in need of clothes as well for the current and upcoming seasons.
Laura: Age 11
Shirts: Girls Large (size 10/12)
Pants/Shorts: Girls M (7/8)
(has one pair or shorts only)
Shoes: Size 6
Brenda: Age 15
Shirts: Girls XL or Women's small
Pants: 0/25R
Shoes: 6.5
(she has one pair of shorts)
Lily: Age 17
Shirts: Girls XL or Women's small
Pants: 0/25R
Shoes: Size 6
(she has one pair of shorts)
Juana (mother): Age 37
Shirt: Large, XL
Pants: Stretchy size large- or gift card to try her own on
Shoes: Size 9
Additional items needed include:
-pajamas
-socks
-jackets
-sweatshirts
-raincoats
-boots
-winter wear for the future
-towels
We are not sure yet where they will be living in the fall and where they will be enrolled in school, but the effort to support this family will be a marathon not a sprint so if right now is not a good time to get involved please check in in the future!
You are also welcome to send along letters of welcome and encouragement in Spanish, to help with rides or accompaniment to regular court dates, providing ESL lessons, navigating signing up for health care, cooking a meal etc. The sky is the limit!
At a time when the needs seem so overwhelming and endless with the number of asylum seekers at the border and the deplorable conditions many have had to endure in the detention centers, I am so grateful to have an opportunity to help in a very small way with one family.
With sincere appreciation for your care and support even if it is just sending the family your prayers and good wishes,
Eliza Petrow
Organiser
Eliza Petrow
Organiser
Watertown, MA