Hi, my name is Mariana Gonzalez, and I am currently a third-year student at Iowa State University. My brother, a recent ISU graduate, and I are beginning the exciting, yet extremely long, time-consuming, and financially burdensome immigration process to bring our dad back home. He is the wonderful father of Brian, my eldest brother, myself, and my two younger siblings, a freshman in high school and an 8th grader. Unfortunately, he was deported back to Mexico when we were all very young children. Since then, he has served his 10-year bar against the U.S. My brother, Brian, and I are now at an age where we can begin to petition for him and take on the responsibility to bring him home.

During the 10 years, we have had to spend apart from our father, in summary, he has not been allowed to celebrate with us (his children)...

This is a shortlist and does not include all the other experiences we have had during our childhood and young adult years. My brother and I want to start this process as soon as possible so our family does not miss out on any more special memories. If you have been blessed enough to have your father present for Daddy Daughter dances, discipline you to teach you a life lesson, move you into your dorm, hug you to comfort you, and everything in-between, please consider donating. Thank you!