Support Iryna after her release from ICE Detention
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$73,859 raised of
822 donations
Update
Iryna has been released from California City.
All funds and efforts moving forward will be going towards her ongoing needs, legal expenses, living costs, and the necessary work of healing from this experience.
Original Post
We never imagined we would have to write something like this.
Our dear friend, Iryna Gorb, was detained by ICE on Wednesday evening at San Francisco International Airport while returning home from a trip to Portland. A video of her arrest has since circulated widely on social media, showing a deeply distressing encounter that has shaken everyone who knows and loves her.
While we have now located Iryna and have been able to make contact with her, she remains in immigration detention. We are deeply concerned for her well-being and are doing everything we can to bring her home.
We have secured legal representation, but the costs associated with her case are significant. We are raising funds to help cover her immigration attorney fees, bond, court filings, and other legal expenses necessary to fight for her release and help her remain in the country she has called home for more than a decade.
Every contribution, no matter the size, will go directly toward these efforts.
For the past 10 years, Iryna has made San Francisco her home. She brightens the days of customers at Better Half Cafe in Polk Gulch, is always there for friends and neighbors, pet-sits for those in need, and shares her gift for photography with the community. If you know Iryna, you know how big her heart is.
One detail says everything about who she is: after being detained, and letting us know she'd talked to her family, where she was, where she'd be, and what to do, her the other things she wanted us to know concerns were – making sure her employer knew she wouldn't be there, her shift was covered, and she didn't let the cafe down – and letting two separate friends know she wouldn't be able to cat sit for them. Even in one of the most frightening moments of her life, she was thinking about others.
Today, we're asking our community to show up for Iryna the way she has always shown up for others. Every contribution brings us one step closer to bringing her back home.
No human is illegal. Everyone deserves dignity and respect. Please stay safe, and we appreciate any support you can give.
Money will be used for the following:
- Legal representation - Immigration attorney, bond, court filing and other legal expenses.
- Paying rent - We want to make sure her apartment remains in her name, and she can afford to stay there throughout the duration of this situation.
- The future - While we don't know what the future looks like, we want to be sure she has the resources to take care of her needs including therapy, groceries, etc.
How will the funds me handled:
- Many of you know Andy (Andrew) Eblin. He's been Iryna's friend since 2015, he helped her move to the city and gave her a place to stay while she got established in San Francisco.
- Andy will be holding the money in an account and distributing to her for messaging and commissary needs, as well as making sure legal fees are reimbursed. Upon Iryna's release, all funds will be transferred to her to help with living expenses, etc.
- Iryna's sister (T.G.) has been in close contact with Andy and asked him to handle the funds.
