(Español abajo) On August 28, José was detained by ICE when the work vehicle he was a passenger in was stopped in a checkpoint on Interstate-295 in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. José and Evelys had lived in Maryland for 3 years, making a living and raising their son who will be 3 soon. The family fled Colombia after facing violent attacks becase of their faith that left Evelys with permanet injuries, pain and mobility issues. Evelys, then pregnant, and José sought asylum in Mexico, but faced similar threats. They ultimately sought safety and refuge from religious persecution in the United States by crossing the Southern border and began the process of seeking asylum. Their application for asylum has been pending for the last 3 years.
While the family waited for their asylum claim to be reviewed, they received work authorization and continued to settle into their lives in Maryland. Their second child, a daughter, was born just days before José was taken. Evelys has no other family in the country, and she is unable to work because of her injuries and having to care for two kids under the age of 3 full-time by herself.
José’s next detention hearing is scheduled for mid-October. Review of Evelys’ asylum claim has been postponsed until April of 2026, as Jose is the main witness to her claim and is unable to testify on her behalf due to the recent detention. Please consider donating any amount to support Evelys, José, and their young children. Funds will be used to support with rent, groceries, and lawyer fees. Thank you for standing with Evelys and her family!
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Español:
El 28 de agosto, José fue detenido por ICE cuando el vehículo de trabajo en el que viajaba como pasajero fue detenido en un reten en la Interestatal 295, en el área metropolitana de Washington, DC. José y Evelys habían vivido en Maryland durante 3 años, trabajando para mantenerse y criando a su hijo, que pronto cumplirá 3 años. La familia huyó de Colombia después de enfrentar ataques violentos por su fe, los cuales dejaron a Evelys con lesiones permanentes, dolor y problemas de movilidad. Evelys, que entonces estaba embarazada, y José buscaron asilo en México, pero enfrentaron amenazas similares. Finalmente, buscaron seguridad y refugio en los Estados Unidos por persecución religiosa, cruzando la frontera sur y comenzando el proceso de solicitud de asilo. Su solicitud de asilo ha estado pendiente durante los últimos 3 años.
Mientras esperaban que su solicitud de asilo fuera revisada, la familia recibió autorización de trabajo y continuó estableciéndose en Maryland. Su segundo hijo, una niña, nació solo días antes de que José fuera detenido. Evelys no tiene otra familia en el país y no puede trabajar debido a sus lesiones y a que debe cuidar sola de dos niños menores de 3 años a tiempo completo.
La próxima audiencia de detención de José está programada para mediados de octubre. La revisión de la solicitud de asilo de Evelys se ha pospuesto hasta abril del 2026, ya que José es el testigo principal de su caso y no puede testificar en su nombre debido a la detención reciente. Por favor, considere donar cualquier cantidad para apoyar a Evelys, José y sus hijos pequeños. Los fondos se utilizarán para cubrir renta, alimentos y honorarios legales. ¡Gracias por apoyar a Evelys y a su familia!
***The Prince George's County Immigrant Rights Collective (PGIRC) hosts Know Your Rights canvasses & trainings, and shares resources to protect immigrants impacted by ICE. We have found these impacted immigrant families through networking and organizing in our community around mutual aid and safety. All funds go directly from you to GoFundMe to impacted family members’ bank. It is often needed for legal services to free their loved ones, but it is also critical to ensure they can afford rent, food, medicine, transportation and other basic needs with the loss of income and the grief they are going through.***
Organizer and beneficiary
pg irc
Organizer
Bladensburg, MD
Evelys Hamburger
Beneficiary