Cesar's Family Immigration Support

It was a typical early morning at Cesar’s home in June of 2017 In San Jose, California. Cesar was getting ready for a full day of landscaping work. Two of his three children, his 12 year old daughter and 13 year old son were up early. His kids were nearby when they heard a knock at their door.  Being a trusting soul Cesar answered the door, wondering if the people he thought were police officers might be seeking some information about something that could have happened in his neighborhood. Unfortunately, the people at the door were not local police but rather Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents.  The ICE agents quickly handcuffed and arrested Cesar. Cesar’s two children who witnessed this tragedy were traumatized as they watched their father be taken away in ICE Custody. The children are currently in counseling to receive support for the loss, fear, and anger that resulted from watching their father being apprehended and taken from their family.

Cesar is currently detained in Immigration Custody at the Contra Costa West County Detention Facility in Richmond, California. He has been denied a bond, even though his family hired an attorney for the bond hearing to build a case for his release. The attorney fees just for this hearing were almost $2,000 even though it was unsuccessful.

Cesar is a 45 years old father of three and has been in the United States for over 20 years. He came here from his hometown near Guadalajara, Mexico to help support a better life for his family and parents. Cesar is a man who looks out for his neighbors and helps others in need - giving food or money to people who asked for help. If he saw a car broken down on the highway, he would stop and help the person in trouble.  He is an active member of his community and a good neighbor

Cesar is devoted to his wife and children and has done everything he can so that they never have to worry about anything. He participated in activities at his children’s school, and practiced soccer and football with his son so he could join the teams at school. The Principal of the school where the two younger children attend submitted a letter of support for Cesar. In it the Principal stated that Cesar “has been a supportive parent and he has shown his support by coming to school conferences with his children’s teachers, attending any discipline meetings with me and attending school wide events.” Cesar goodness and generous spirit is appreciated by many.  He’s a hard worker, someone who is friendly and connected to his community. As a landscaper, he works many hours as the main economic provider for his family.

Cesar’s wife and children are in desperate need of help to pay for their living expenses, as well as the legal fees to fight his deportation. The family lives together in a 1 bedroom converted garage. Rent is their biggest expense. The legal fees are now a bigger expense. His wife is seeking work to support the family, and she is very worried for her children who are broken-hearted and need their mother’s presence.

The children on two occasions recently tried to visit their father at the ICE Unit in Richmond, California where Cesar is detained.  They were taken to the facility by their aunt, but are constantly denied the right to visit their father. The first time they were told that they arrived too late. The second time they were told they could only visit if their mother brought them.

Your donation will be provided directly to the family to help them during this difficult time. Funding will help Cesar, his wife and his children meet their challenging living and legal expenses. Please join us to help reunite this family, a family that works hard, cares for their children and are the kind of neighbors that make a community a welcoming place.  As people of faith committed to justice for all, your partnership in supporting Cesar and his family is deeply appreciated.