Ricardo is a Venezuelan immigrant who has called South Florida home for over 23 years. Throughout his time in the United States, he has faced many challenges related to his immigration status, but has always remained hopeful and resilient. Ricardo is living with HIV, and in 2018, he confronted the terrifying prospect of deportation. Thanks to the recognition of his humanitarian case—due to the severe shortage of life-saving medications in Venezuela—an immigration judge removed his deportation order, allowing him to stay and continue building his life here.

Unfortunately, on December 29, 2025, Ricardo was detained by ICE during what was supposed to be a routine immigration interview, a result of new government policies. He has spent the past week at the “Alligator Alcatraz” detention facility, anxiously awaiting possible deportation to Venezuela. The country is currently experiencing extreme political and economic instability, and access to essential medical treatment, especially HIV medication, is highly unreliable. For Ricardo, being sent back would mean facing life-threatening conditions and unimaginable uncertainty.

We are reaching out to our community for help. The funds raised will go toward legal fees, paying Ricardo’s rent, car and furniture loans, and covering his living expenses while he is unable to work. Your support will give Ricardo a fighting chance to remain safe and stable here with us. Thank you to everyone who can support our dear friend and charismatic Ricky during this hard time. We hope to help him close this chapter and create a stable future together. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us.