This morning, between 9:00 and 9:30 AM, Vilma Cruz—a hardworking single mother—was visiting her new home in Kenner, Louisiana, part of the greater New Orleans metropolitan area, in preparation for an upcoming move. While sitting in her car, she was suddenly approached by an ICE agent. Vilma did not open her window, but within minutes, multiple ICE agents surrounded her vehicle. Her car window was shattered, and she was forcibly removed.

As of now, there is no information available on the ICE website regarding her whereabouts or condition.

Vilma is the sole provider for her two children—both of whom are U.S.-born citizens: an 18-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter. She works in the skilled trades as a painter and is the only source of income for the family, covering rent, utilities, food, and every basic need.

Today, these children face the unimaginable reality of coming home from school to no parent at all and no legal guardian able to step in. Her son was able to recover their vehicle, and we are coordinating emergency support to ensure his younger sister is safely picked up from school by 3:30 PM.

This fundraiser will help cover immediate living expenses, food, rent, legal support, child care, and emergency needs for Vilma’s children as we work to locate her and fight for her release.

Please donate what you can and share widely. No family should face this terror alone, and Vilma’s children urgently need our community to stand with them.

Thank you for your compassion and support.

Photo: Vilma Cruz, pictured in a yellow t-shirt, second from right