Montejo Family Fundraiser
Donation protected
For the past 9 months, the Montejo family (siblings Monica, Emma, Jose, and their mother) have been struggling with paying for rent and groceries, educational expenses, and legal fees after ICE began deportation proceedings against their father. We are estimating the family needs 30,000 to pay for Monica and Emma's school fees, their fathers legal fees, rent, and groceries for the next 9 months so they can focus on their education. By supporting this fundraiser, you are helping two college students continue their education and have a safe place to live. Thank you all for the support.
To learn more about the Montejo family story read the note below.
The following is a note from Monica Montejo:
For about 8-9 months my family and I have been without a father, however it feels longer. In December, I moved back home from college to financially support my family. Since then, I’ve been working full time. During spring, I was a full time student, and I’ve never hit rock bottom more than this. I applaud anyone who has a job and is a student, because it’s tough. But working over full time, being a full time student, battling ICE, while being there for family, was just too much for me. It’s too much for anyone. I remember one time I was asked to testify in court for one of my fathers deportation pleas. They asked me if I could speak about the hardships of our lives. I wasn’t ready, but I did it regardless. It was the first time I admitted to strangers that our family was down-right poor, the first time I talked about our family’s mental health, and the first time I talked about my abuse in court (I was never given the opportunity to do so before). Both the judge and the prosecutor agreed there was not sufficient evidence for our plea. In their eyes, they saw two girls (my sister and I) that had honor cords, scholarships, leadership positions, and state awards, so that must mean that they can overcome anything, “they’ll do just fine, without their father”.
My father was there for every single achievement, supported us financially, and there for us when we were down. This was not the first time that I was failed by the system, but the first time that I was traumatized from speaking out. It wasn’t until months later that I gained the courage to speak again. (I’m still afraid of being dismissed like I had been before) We are expecting a decision on my fathers deportation any moment now, and we have tried everything we could think of. This our last haul, and it’s been a long ride. My family and I don’t sleep, we’re out of tears, we’re just sitting ducks and it's the worst feeling, but we still have hope. The one thing that has kept us going has been the amount of support we’ve received. There are no words to describe the amount of gratitude and love we have for each individual who has supported whether spiritually, virtually, and in-person. Thank you, really just thank you.
To learn more about the Montejo family story read the note below.
The following is a note from Monica Montejo:
For about 8-9 months my family and I have been without a father, however it feels longer. In December, I moved back home from college to financially support my family. Since then, I’ve been working full time. During spring, I was a full time student, and I’ve never hit rock bottom more than this. I applaud anyone who has a job and is a student, because it’s tough. But working over full time, being a full time student, battling ICE, while being there for family, was just too much for me. It’s too much for anyone. I remember one time I was asked to testify in court for one of my fathers deportation pleas. They asked me if I could speak about the hardships of our lives. I wasn’t ready, but I did it regardless. It was the first time I admitted to strangers that our family was down-right poor, the first time I talked about our family’s mental health, and the first time I talked about my abuse in court (I was never given the opportunity to do so before). Both the judge and the prosecutor agreed there was not sufficient evidence for our plea. In their eyes, they saw two girls (my sister and I) that had honor cords, scholarships, leadership positions, and state awards, so that must mean that they can overcome anything, “they’ll do just fine, without their father”.
My father was there for every single achievement, supported us financially, and there for us when we were down. This was not the first time that I was failed by the system, but the first time that I was traumatized from speaking out. It wasn’t until months later that I gained the courage to speak again. (I’m still afraid of being dismissed like I had been before) We are expecting a decision on my fathers deportation any moment now, and we have tried everything we could think of. This our last haul, and it’s been a long ride. My family and I don’t sleep, we’re out of tears, we’re just sitting ducks and it's the worst feeling, but we still have hope. The one thing that has kept us going has been the amount of support we’ve received. There are no words to describe the amount of gratitude and love we have for each individual who has supported whether spiritually, virtually, and in-person. Thank you, really just thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Briana Clifton
Organizer
St. Paul, MN
Monica Montejo
Beneficiary
