We are reaching out to ask for your support for lawyer fees for an immigrant family here in DC that faces a very high risk of homelessness and deportation. Daniela* is a dear friend and a mother of three children, ages 16, 5, and a baby of a year old. She has also been a street vendor in DC and was a part of the campaign to decriminalize street vending, fighting for her rights even while she was pregnant with her youngest daughter.

Crisis after crisis has hit her family in recent months as they try to establish themselves here. Her family was evicted from her first home in DC, and she lived in a shelter with her three kids until she found a new apartment. Now, she is on the verge of a second eviction when the voucher she is using expires at the end of April. She and her children have suffered from frequent health issues, and she is recovering from an inpatient surgery right now. And as she navigates the immigration system to ensure her family can stay in the US, where she has been building a life, she unexpectedly faces thousands of dollars in lawyer fees that must be paid before mid-May in order to effectively fight to remain here.

Right now, the crushing weight of her debts and the fear of her precarious housing, health and immigration status is taking a massive toll on her. The lawyers tell her she has a high chance of adjusting her immigration status successfully, but the barrier right now is the money - we need to raise a substantial amount of money to cover the fees to ensure the lawyers are retained. We are taking this ask to our broader community to support Daniela with funds to continue her contract with her lawyers. Given the lack of capacity from pro-bono lawyers, Daniela has had to seek support from a private law firm, which is more costly.

Please give what you can! All love <3

Organizers in solidarity with DC Street Vendors

*goes by a different name