A few days ago, I met a woman here in San Felipe, Baja Sur who had just been deported after living in the United States for 37 years.

She is currently staying in a small room with no running water, no electricity, no stove, and almost no belongings. She has her car, her clothes, and little else.

She moved to San Diego at 16 years old and built her entire life there. She worked for years in medical transport, cared for patients, cleaned homes, helped families, and raised her children in the U.S. She had a long-term work permit and was actively in the process of obtaining her green card. Her mother is a U.S. citizen.

When she attended a scheduled immigration appointment, she was taken into custody. She spent three months in an ICE detention facility and was then deported to Mexico — a country she hadn’t lived in since she was a teenager.

She is now barred from returning to the U.S. for 10 years.

Her mother drove her car and clothes to Tijuana so she would at least have transportation when she was released. That car is now her only lifeline.

But she is starting over with major obstacles:

No running water or electricity in her room

No basic household items (pots, bedding, stove, etc.)

Cannot legally work for about six weeks while she replaces expired Mexican ID

Must import her U.S.-plated vehicle to legally keep it (estimated up to $5,000)

Risk of impoundment if she cannot complete the import

Rebuilding a life in a place she hasn’t lived in for decades

Despite all of this, she is not asking for a handout — she is asking for a chance.

She is already trying to find work:

House cleaning

Babysitting / childcare

Elder care

Driving to the border

Shopping trips to Mexicali

Errands or odd jobs

Anything she can do while waiting for documents

I personally met her, spent hours talking with her, and she showed me her documentation — work permits, licenses, and bank cards. She is humble, motivated, and determined to rebuild.

When I asked if I could create this fundraiser, she said she hoped to pay everyone back. I told her the best way to repay kindness is to pay it forward once she’s back on her feet — and she fully embraced that.

What Donations Will Help With

Your support will go toward:

Basic living essentials (water, power setup, bedding, cooking supplies)

Food and immediate survival needs

Replacing identification documents

Vehicle import costs (so she can legally work and avoid impoundment)

Gas for job searching and transport work

Basic furniture and household items

Stabilizing her during the 4–6 weeks before she can legally work

This is not about politics.

This is about a human being starting over from zero.

She spent 37 years working, helping others, and contributing. Now she needs a hand up to help her stand back up.

Even $5 or $10 helps.

Sharing this helps just as much.

If you are in the San Felipe area and prefer to donate items, she also needs:

Small stove or hot plate

Pots/pans

Bedding

Water containers

Small table or chairs

Basic furniture

Household supplies

She is incredibly grateful for anything.

Let’s help her rebuild with dignity.

FAQ — Transparency & Details

Who is Elizabeth?

Elizabeth is a Mexican citizen who lived in San Diego for 37 years after moving there at age 16. She worked in medical transport and also did caregiving, house cleaning, and childcare. She has grown children and a U.S. citizen mother.

Did you actually meet her?

Yes. I met Elizabeth in person tonight, had dinner with her, and she personally showed me the room she is living in. It has no running water, no electricity, and almost no belongings. I also reviewed her documentation, including her work permit history, licenses, and identification.

Is this fundraiser legitimate?

Yes. This GoFundMe is being created with Elizabeth’s permission after meeting her in person. Funds will be used specifically to help her stabilize her living situation and become self-sufficient again.

Why can’t she just get a job immediately?

Her Mexican identification expired while she lived in the U.S. She must replace it before she can legally work. The process is expected to take about six weeks. In the meantime, she is trying to find small cash jobs like cleaning, errands, and caregiving.

Why does she need help with her car?

Her vehicle has U.S. plates. As a Mexican citizen living in Mexico, she must legally import the vehicle. If she doesn’t, it can be impounded permanently. The cost to import can be up to $5,000, and the car is currently her only transportation and income opportunity.

Does she have family helping her?

Her mother, who is a U.S. citizen, helped by bringing her car and belongings to Tijuana so she would have something when she was deported. Beyond that, Elizabeth is largely starting over on her own in Mexico.

Where is she living right now?

She is staying in a very small room with no electricity, no water, no kitchen, and almost no furniture. She currently has only her car, clothing, and a few personal items.

How will the funds be used?

Donations will go toward:

• Basic living needs (water, food, bedding)

• Small stove / cooking supplies

• Electricity and water setup if possible

• Identification replacement costs

• Gas for job searching

• Vehicle import costs

• Basic furniture and household items

• Stabilization during the 6-week period before she can legally work

Is she expecting long-term support?

No. Elizabeth is actively looking for work and wants to become self-sufficient as quickly as possible. This fundraiser is meant to help her through the immediate transition after deportation.

Will she pay people back?

Elizabeth initially wanted to repay donations. Instead, we discussed that the best approach is to pay it forward once she is back on her feet, and she fully agreed.

Can I help without donating money?

Yes. She is also in need of:

• Small stove or hot plate

• Pots and pans

• Bedding

• Water containers

• Basic furniture

• Household supplies

• Temporary work opportunities

Why share this publicly?

Starting over after 37 years in another country is incredibly difficult. This fundraiser gives Elizabeth a chance to stabilize quickly and begin working again with dignity.

Even small donations make a meaningful difference.