My name is Marco Guzman, and I’m 17 years old. On Friday, October 31, 2025, my dad, Israel Guzman, was detained by ICE. My brothers and I are beyond devastated especially because my younger brother, Julio, is currently hospitalized at Lurie Children’s Hospital.
Julio is 16 years old and has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and chronic respiratory failure among many other complex medical conditions. He depends on medical devices, constant care, and most importantly, our dad, his primary caregiver.
Without our dad, Julio cannot be discharged home safely. Losing our father right now doesn’t just mean losing our family’s provider but it puts Julio’s life in serious danger.
We are raising funds to cover legal fees for my dad’s immigration case and basic expenses while we fight to keep our family together. Every donation will go toward:
- Hiring an immigration lawyer to help bring our dad home
- Covering transportation and hospital-related costs
- Ensuring Julio continues to receive the specialized care he needs
Our mother passed away when I was 8, and our dad has done everything to hold us together. He is our protector, caregiver, and the only person who can care for Julio’s complex needs.
Please help us by donating or sharing our story. Your kindness can make the difference.
Thank you for reading and for standing with our family in this fight.
-Sincerely,
Marco
Co-organizers2
Marco Guzman
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Jose
Co-organizer

