Nidian and Esteban Permanent Residency
Donation protected
Nidian and Esteban lived in Huehuetenango Department in Guatemala, about 2 hours away from Todos Santos Cuchamantan (where many of our Guatemalan neighbors are from). They both worked locally and were able to support their family day to day until their house was robbed of almost all valuables, and a local gang tried to extort them, even threatening to kidnap one of the children. They made plans to come to the US, and borrowed from loan sharks to pay the coyotes (who charge thousands of dollars per person, and exorbitant monthly interest rates), but ended up leaving ahead of time when threatened, fleeing their house in the middle of the night with what they could carry.
Thankfully they were able to make the arduous overland journey through Mexico, across the US border on the first attempt, and claim asylum, but Gerardi became sick while in detention. Nidian's sister in Oakland was able to sponsor them for asylum, and they were released to come to Oakland in August of 2016, where Oakland Catholic Worker provided them with transitional housing for 9 months. Their asylum case was granted in 2019. The one year waiting period (after asylum was granted) has passed, so they are now able to apply for permanent residency (green cards), but there are some costs involved, totaling $11,000 as follows:
- Lawyer: $3000
- Immigration Process: $5000 (USCIS Form I-485 for 2 adults and 3 children)
- Green Card Medical Exams: $3000 (USCIS Form I-693 for 2 adults and 3 children)
We have reviewed and confirmed these costs with an immigration attorney. The family has saved up $6,000 so far during the one-year waiting period, and are seeking help from our community to gather the remaining $5000 so that they can get their green cards and become permanent residents as soon as possible.
How you can give:
1. You can write a check and send it directly to Little Sprouts.
Please write “Teacher Support” in the memo
2626 East 16th Street
Oakland, CA 94601
Click on the link on this campaign
Thankfully they were able to make the arduous overland journey through Mexico, across the US border on the first attempt, and claim asylum, but Gerardi became sick while in detention. Nidian's sister in Oakland was able to sponsor them for asylum, and they were released to come to Oakland in August of 2016, where Oakland Catholic Worker provided them with transitional housing for 9 months. Their asylum case was granted in 2019. The one year waiting period (after asylum was granted) has passed, so they are now able to apply for permanent residency (green cards), but there are some costs involved, totaling $11,000 as follows:
- Lawyer: $3000
- Immigration Process: $5000 (USCIS Form I-485 for 2 adults and 3 children)
- Green Card Medical Exams: $3000 (USCIS Form I-693 for 2 adults and 3 children)
We have reviewed and confirmed these costs with an immigration attorney. The family has saved up $6,000 so far during the one-year waiting period, and are seeking help from our community to gather the remaining $5000 so that they can get their green cards and become permanent residents as soon as possible.
How you can give:
1. You can write a check and send it directly to Little Sprouts.
Please write “Teacher Support” in the memo
2626 East 16th Street
Oakland, CA 94601
Click on the link on this campaign
Organizer
Dan Schmitz
Organizer
Oakland, CA