Post Kwasi's Immigration Bond
Donation protected
Kwasi is a gay man from Ghana. He is in ICE detection in Aurora, Colorado. If he is deported to Ghana, his family will kill him. I am asking you to help save his life.
I met Kwasi* when I volunteered as part of a pro bono legal clinic I volunteer with in the Aurora ICE Detention Center. As an attorney, I have met many asylum seekers. Each has a unique and compelling story, and each deserves our compassion. So why Kwasi? Because we have to start somewhere, because my life, your life, and his life intersected, because as a gay man he particularly vulnerable in detention, because he will be murdered if forced to return to Ghana. I am committed to doing all that I can to raise money for his bond.
This is Kwasi's story. Kwasi is from Ghana, where it is a crime to be gay. Human Rights Watch describes Ghana as a place where gay people "are very frequently victims of physical violence and psychological abuse, extortion and discrimination." In Kwasi's case, his attackers were his own family members. When Kwasi's father learned he was gay, he posted a notice on the door of their house stating Kwasi deserved to be killed and organized a mob to kill his own son. While his father watched, the mob nearly beat Kwasi to death. He escaped by jumping through a glass window. Kwasi made it to his sister's home in Accra, and there he was able to work as a nurse for a short time. While in Accra his father made threatening calls to his sister and an anti-homosexual group repeatedly called him promising to kill him and burn him. When his employer learned he was gay, Kwasi received a termination letter stating he was fired for his "gayism." Then, another mob tried to kill him. They beat Kwasi nearly to death. Even though he escaped, he received countless death threats. Kwasi kept these letters, and I have read them. They are promises to end his life if he returns to Ghana.
I have gotten to know Kwasi and the power, pain, and truth of his story is inescapable. This is why I am asking for your help.
Kwasi has passed his credible fear interview and an immigration judge decided he could be released, but set his bond at $8000. Kwasi has raised $2000 and the Freedom Fund has donated $3000 , but Kwasi still needs your help. Consider donating $5, $50, or $500, every dollar truly helps. Please also share this with your friends and family. Our system is broken - no one should be incarcerated in these conditions for seeking safety. We are fortunate to live in a country where no one legally can hurt us for being who we are. Kwasi should have the same right.
*His name has been changed to protect his privacy. His permission was given to run this campaign. The photograph is also not of Kwasi, but is a photograph made available by Upsplash.
A few logistical details: It is possible that the posted bond will be returned. In that case, all funds raised through this campaign will go to the Freedom Fund so other LGBT asylum seekers may also benefit. I as the coordinator of this campaign am not doing this as Kwasi's lawyer, but rather simply as a concerned citizen.
I met Kwasi* when I volunteered as part of a pro bono legal clinic I volunteer with in the Aurora ICE Detention Center. As an attorney, I have met many asylum seekers. Each has a unique and compelling story, and each deserves our compassion. So why Kwasi? Because we have to start somewhere, because my life, your life, and his life intersected, because as a gay man he particularly vulnerable in detention, because he will be murdered if forced to return to Ghana. I am committed to doing all that I can to raise money for his bond.
This is Kwasi's story. Kwasi is from Ghana, where it is a crime to be gay. Human Rights Watch describes Ghana as a place where gay people "are very frequently victims of physical violence and psychological abuse, extortion and discrimination." In Kwasi's case, his attackers were his own family members. When Kwasi's father learned he was gay, he posted a notice on the door of their house stating Kwasi deserved to be killed and organized a mob to kill his own son. While his father watched, the mob nearly beat Kwasi to death. He escaped by jumping through a glass window. Kwasi made it to his sister's home in Accra, and there he was able to work as a nurse for a short time. While in Accra his father made threatening calls to his sister and an anti-homosexual group repeatedly called him promising to kill him and burn him. When his employer learned he was gay, Kwasi received a termination letter stating he was fired for his "gayism." Then, another mob tried to kill him. They beat Kwasi nearly to death. Even though he escaped, he received countless death threats. Kwasi kept these letters, and I have read them. They are promises to end his life if he returns to Ghana.
I have gotten to know Kwasi and the power, pain, and truth of his story is inescapable. This is why I am asking for your help.
Kwasi has passed his credible fear interview and an immigration judge decided he could be released, but set his bond at $8000. Kwasi has raised $2000 and the Freedom Fund has donated $3000 , but Kwasi still needs your help. Consider donating $5, $50, or $500, every dollar truly helps. Please also share this with your friends and family. Our system is broken - no one should be incarcerated in these conditions for seeking safety. We are fortunate to live in a country where no one legally can hurt us for being who we are. Kwasi should have the same right.
*His name has been changed to protect his privacy. His permission was given to run this campaign. The photograph is also not of Kwasi, but is a photograph made available by Upsplash.
A few logistical details: It is possible that the posted bond will be returned. In that case, all funds raised through this campaign will go to the Freedom Fund so other LGBT asylum seekers may also benefit. I as the coordinator of this campaign am not doing this as Kwasi's lawyer, but rather simply as a concerned citizen.
Organizer and beneficiary
Shalyn Kettering
Organizer
Denver, CO
Freedom Fund
Beneficiary