my name is abril gomez.

I am having trouble finding the words to begin this ask. I know I may not be deserving of even asking this of people that may not personally know me or the people involved but I hope people can put themselves into this situation and understand why I ask.

Earlier today, a really close family friend of ours was arrested by ICE. (I will not be disclosing identifiable information in hopes of protecting family.) I know this may make the idea of donating unrealistic due to truly not knowing the member personally. I know this situation has become the reality of many people here in the U.S. and it’s truly heartbreaking for the people involved. Unfortunately, this is just the beginning for him and there are many unanswered questions at this moment about his possible timeline in the detention facility.

This family friend is a father, uncle, brother. He has become an uncle for me and has watched me grown into the person I am becoming. He is the father of two wonderful girls and has worked and earned an honest living in the U.S. He has worked jobs that many people would not have ever thought to do to make a living. He has paid taxes every year since he’s been here and has never reaped a benefit from that. He is a law abiding person and the only thing that he’s done that people would consider “wrong” is coming to the United States.

Despite many people here in the U.S. having many misconceptions about immigration I would like to ask that you look at this from a humanitarian perspective. He is human. He is not a criminal. He is a father.

Once again, I know I may not be deserving of this ask from strangers or people that I may not know entirely on a personal level but I feel helpless and feel as if even an attempt to assist financially for future costs that will come with this situation. I do not want you all to believe that this is simply to boost my morale but to truly make an attempt to help.

Even if you may not be able to assist financially, I ask that you keep our family friend and the thousands of families/individuals that have been separated or impacted by ICE in your prayers. Please pray that if they may not be able to reunite that they arrive to their home countries safely. Pray and have hope that the members may find peace during a difficult time. Pray that individual in custody may remain free from illness and may recover from the battles they are facing. Pray that families and friends may find their way back to each other.