My name is Hailey, and my family and I have had the honor and privilege of getting to know Joswar and Cesar. We’ve created this GoFundMe to raise funds for their legal defense. All donations will be forwarded to Poder Legal to cover legal expenses for Joswar and Cesar.
If you prefer to give directly, you can donate at:
Please note your donation is for Joswar and Cesar.
Thank you for standing with us—and with them.
On June 11, 2025, two young men—deeply cherished by their Spokane community—were unexpectedly detained during a routine ICE check-in.
Joswar and Cesar came to the United States from Venezuela, seeking asylum from conditions that no one should have to endure. Since arriving in Spokane, they have done everything the right way—exactly the way so many say they would support.
They obtained valid work permits and have been employed full-time at Walmart, often working over 40 hours a week, while taking on side jobs like painting and landscaping to make ends meet. They enrolled in English classes, attended church, and completed driver's education to become licensed Washington drivers. They established legal guardianship and built a solid foundation of local support to help guide them on the long path to citizenship.
They were not hiding. They were showing up—Every. Single Day.
But when they walked into the ICE office on June 11th for a standard check-in, they were detained without cause.
No warning.
No explanation.
No rights respected.
Dozens of us gathered outside the ICE building, standing in peaceful protest, hoping our presence would result in their release. Eventually, we watched with broken hearts as they were shackled and loaded into a transport van—sent to a detention center in Tacoma, WA.
They now face an immigration judge on June 12th, with their future hanging in the balance.
We are raising funds to cover legal representation and related expenses needed to fight for their release and support them in continuing their journey toward citizenship.
The legal process is complex and expensive. While we are grateful to have legal support in place, the fees are significant, and we don't yet know what additional resources may be required. Every dollar raised will go directly to securing their freedom and ensuring they are treated with the fairness and dignity they deserve. You can also donate to https://www.latinosenspokane.org/poderlegal and indicate the donation is for Joswar & Cesar.
Joswar and Cesar are not just names in a headline. They are kind, hardworking, respectful young men who have become like family to many of us. They’ve eaten dinner at our tables, helped with home projects, danced and sang to music, and taught each other languages with laughter and patience. Our children adore them. We do, too.
If you had the chance to know them, you’d be fighting like hell for them, too.
This is not about politics. This is about people. About what’s right. About the moral responsibility we all share to protect those who are doing everything asked of them—and still being punished.
Please consider donating to support Joswar and Cesar. Every bit helps. Every voice matters.
Organizer
Hailey Muto
Organizer
Spokane, WA