US Student Stranded In Mexico

This is Marisela Burgos. Marisela is eighteen, a successful and driven student at Casper College (where she competes for the speech and debate team), and a proud American. Those who know her personally will tell you that she is bright, compassionate, and a natural-born leader. She brings a smile to everyone she meets and brightens up any room simply by walking in. But, to the US government, none of this mattered. This is because they did not see her as the brilliant student and hard worker that she is. They saw her, instead, as Mexican, and somehow different than the rest of us.

When going to Mexico to interview for her permanent residency, Marisela found her application denied. Having never broken the law and, having always been an exceptional student and hard worker, Marisela had no reason to believe that this would happen. Now, she has found herself stranded in a country that she has not lived in since before she was three years old with only enough in her suitcase to last her the week. Unfortunately, it could be as long as a three years before she is allowed to return to the United States to reunite with her family, friends, and classmates.

To remind Marisela that, in the face of incredible bigotry and ignorance, countless people still care about her, the Casper College Speech and Debate team has decided to launch this campaign to send her support with money, encouragement, and love. While we fight to challenge her denial and bring her back home, we ask for your support to help make her life easier in the face of this unexpected chaos. Every dollar goes a long way in easing her struggle.

Maybe you can donate $5, $10, or $25. Maybe even $100. Regardless of the size of your donation, this is your chance to remind the world that there are still those out there who care, and will do anything to help out not just another American, but also another human being in need. This money will not only help to pay for legal fees, food, and clothes but also for internet access so that Marisela can continue her education, as well as other key necessities.

Marisela was always optimistic that, in the face of this turbulent and divisive political climate, a vast majority of people were still kind-hearted and warm-spirited. Please, help us prove her right, and donate anything you can to this cause. Like President Ronald Reagan once said, “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”

EDIT: As you can see, we've raised more than $4.5K for Marisela. I was admittedly cynical in the beginning, but my worries about how many people would help Marisela have since been dispelled. I find myself moved by all of your incredible generosity. Thank you all for what you've done. Neither Marisela nor myself can adequately express just how grateful we are.

EDIT 2: Marisela has just informed me that her parents' have racked up somewhere in the ballpark of $12,000 in legal fees, filing fees, and more. And she STILL remains stuck in Mexico, with the uneasy feeling that she may be unwanted. No one should have to go what she has gone through, much less alone. That's why we've raised the goal for donations. We want to help pay for these fees, and we want to continue doing whatever we can to make sure that she is provided and cared for.

She currently lives in fear of shootings and kidnapping almost every day. Only a few days ago, someone was shot in a gas station near her new home. Money alone cannot fix these issues, but they can help, and so can awareness. Please, donate or share. Anything helps.