Hi, my name is Emily, and I’m raising funds for my stepdad, David.

Six months ago, David was detained by ICE in North Georgia, despite being close to receiving his green card. He married my mom, who is a U.S. citizen, 15 years ago, and they have been together for 23 years. For years, they have been navigating the immigration system so he could finally become a permanent resident and eventually a citizen.

David was detained after being stopped by local police in Jackson County, Georgia while he was out eating lunch during a workday. He was a passenger in the car at the time of the stop. Officers stated that one of his taillights was out, but when my mom later went to pick up the car, the taillight was working properly.

During the stop, an officer asked David for identification. When David provided identification, an immigration enforcement agent who was working with local police exited the vehicle. ICE was then contacted to take David into custody and transport him.

After the traffic stop, David was taken to an unknown location, and local authorities contacted ICE. Our family was not told where he was taken, and we had no contact with him for several days. He was detained on a Friday, and we did not hear from him until the following Tuesday, when he informed us that he had been transferred to Stewart Detention Center in Georgia. During this time, our family was left in distress, not knowing where he was or what condition he was in.

David spent six months detained at Stewart Detention Center. During that time, the money in his wallet was taken, and immigration officials declined his request for additional clothing — including a request for my mom to send him three pairs of clothes while he was detained.

Shortly before his deportation, David became very sick while in detention, and our family was not allowed to visit him during that time. This made an already traumatic situation even more devastating for our family, as we were unable to see him or properly support him while he was ill. David has a known health condition, which made his illness while detained and lack of proper care and nutrition especially concerning.

After months of fighting for his release, David made the heartbreaking decision to sign voluntary departure papers in early November. He arrived in Cuernavaca, Mexico on December 24, 2025, after not having lived in Mexico for over 25 years.

Before his detention, David was the head of our household and the sole provider for my mom. Since being detained and deported, he has been unable to work and has no money to meet basic needs such as clothing, food, and daily necessities.

We are asking for help to support David during this incredibly difficult transition. All funds raised will go toward basic necessities, clothing, food, and helping him regain stability while he tries to rebuild his life after being separated from his family.

Any donation, share, or support means more than we can express. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for supporting our family during this painful time.