For the past six months I have been working with Oregon Community Asylum Network  (OCAN).  OCAN is a grassroots organization working to free asylum seekers from the harmful conditions of ICE detention centers and helping them start new lives here in Lane County.  So far OCAN has successfully helped release 11 folks from detention in the past year.  It is a group of volunteers driven by community support with the intention to create a world in which no human is considered illegal. 


After getting to know many of the asylum seekers and being involved with OCAN, I decided that I would like to open my home and support an asylum seeker myself.  With our support network of OCAN and my immediate friends and community we plan to help M- (name being kept confidential for his privacy) start a new life here.  


I was connected with M- through a friend who knows him personally.  He is currently being detained by ICE and has been for the last 6 months.  I have been building a connection with him over the phone and have gotten to know him as a kind, motivated person fleeing violence, captivity, and torture in his home country of Nicaragua and leaving behind his family and studies at university. 


The violence in Nicaragua is linked to a history of US foreign policy in their country, leading thousands to flee for fear of their life.  I feel it is our moral responsibility as humans to offer aid to others when possible. 


We will be opening up our home to M- and helping him get settled and start a new life here.  I talk to him weekly over the phone and he is so excited to be free and feel safe.  


Our goal of $5,000 is to cover projected expenses of basic needs over the next year for M- until he is able to work and live independently. Your donations will help pay for food, clothing, transportation, house expenses, toiletries, English classes, medical needs, etc. Every donation is greatly appreciated!


Immigrants are especially at risk right now under the current administration and with the pandemic.  Let’s help the most vulnerable in this time!


If you would like to donate supplies for M- we are seeking:
-a smart phone
-twin or full sized bed & bedding
-dresser
-laptop


M-’s final asylum court hearing is set for April 17th.  With the help of an immigration lawyer he has his case ready to be presented.  If all goes well he will be released from detention that day and we will be making travel arrangements immediately for him to arrive here to Eugene.  


If for some reason M- is not released, your donations will be transferred to Oregon Community Asylum Network and used to directly support the other asylum seekers already living in our community.


No human is illegal!  Migration is beautiful! Let’s welcome immigrants to the safety all humans deserve. 


Thank you so much!


Monarch photo by Paul VanDerWerf
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pavdw/15353124408