protect José and Jessica's family
Help prevent deportation and eviction by contributing to legal fees and rent for José, Jessica and the child they are expecting.
Note: this GoFundMe was started for rent and legal fees before José received bond. We've been raising his bond interpersonally via checks to Episcopal City Mission who is holding the money. However, some folks have wished to donate online via crowdfunder. If you would like to give here to the BOND fund, you may do so, just make a note so Annie knows it's for bond.
Story: José immigrated to the U.S. to escape violence happening toward his family and has been living and working in the U.S. for at least 15 years. His wife Jessica is a U.S. citizen who just endured a difficult pregnancy that ended with the death of their child. Unfortunately José was detained by ICE and has been held in immigrant detention for the last couple months, leaving Jessica, who depends on him financially and emotionally, without support. Having a family member in detention is traumatic and expensive and Jessica has fallen behind in rent and received an eviction notice.
We are an emergent network of clergy and faith communities supporting detained immigrants and their families and we were able to find a lawyer for José. This lawyer will file for him to remain in the U.S. since he has been living here for over 10 years and his wife is a U.S. citizens who depends on him. However, this lawyer cannot take on anymore pro bono work due to his extremely large caseload. We are raising funds to compensate him for his good work and to help Jessica with rent and other personal expenses during this incredibly difficult time.
All the funds raised have been going to legal fees, rent, and other basic needs to prevent José's deportation and to keep Jessica in her house and as well as possible.
Note for transparency (requested by GoFundMe): Annie is receiving these funds and wiring them to Jessica. She has also written checks directly to Jose's lawyer, Bob. She met Jose through doing a pastoral visit at Suffolk County House of Corrections where he is detained.
