Stand by Jaimee's Family in Tough Times

Fundraiser update! Jaimee is home! He lost 7 weeks of income during his illegal incarceration. Thank you to those who have contributed to the $375 raised! If you can, please add your name to our list of donors! Also, if you need plumbing, electrical or handyman work, let me know. Jamie can fix just about anything and is happy to be supporting his family again.

Here is his story: Jaimee Callas Menjavir is my friend and my daughter's kindest and most helpful neighbor in Annapolis, MD. He immigrated from El Salvador 15 years ago and became a licensed plumber and electrician, acquiring his official U.S. work permit 3 years ago. He started his own business and, incidentally, has worked for me in my rental home in Annapolis and done excellent work. He is a husband and father of a 9-year-old daughter. On a trip to Home Depot six weeks ago, Jaimee was picked up by ICE, without any legal cause, and detained first in Baltimore and then transferred to the crowded, humiliating conditions in Farmville, VA.

It was days before his wife knew what had happened to her "disappeared" husband, and now, though he was just released, the lost earnings and legal expenses have put his family in a difficult financial situation. As a result of his detention, he is now underweight, demoralized, and, of course, fearful that ICE will target him again if he goes to buy work supplies or shows up at a construction site. Jaimee's wife has been working throughout this personal nightmare, trying to hold her family together, but her income is insufficient to meet the family's needs.

If you, like me, are heartbroken for Jaimee and others like him, here is one small way that you can help.Let's come together in compassion to keep food and shelter accessible for the Callas family.