Support José and María's Path to Stability

My name is Allison Eanes Chaveste, and I am starting this Go Fund Me on behalf of my good friends, José Hernandez, his wife María Fernanda Carrera, and their two children, Isaías and Sofía. José and María Fernanda came to Harrisonburg in 2015. Initially, José came on a student visa in order to study at Eastern Mennonite University; first in the Intensive English Program, then at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, where he graduated with his masters degree. While he studied, María Fernanda and their two kids were here as dependents, which meant that María Fernanda could not work.

In 2022, Harrisonburg High School hired Maria Fernanda as a Spanish teacher, and as part of that process Harrisonburg City Public Schools provided her with a work visa. However, that visa did not include José and the two kids. For the last year, José and María Fernanda have undergone an arduous and expensive immigration process, with the hope that the entire family will eventually be able to attain residency. One of the biggest motivators for staying here is that their son, Isaías, is in his final year of high school, and hopes to go to college next year. Their daughter, Sofía, who is now 10, has lived here for almost her entire life (she was 9 months old when they arrived). Both kids keep busy in and out of school, from taking part in dance, marching band, and Spanish club; to attending EMU and JMU events; and being part of their church youth group.

In the last year, José and María Fernanda have spent $18,000 in legal fees, sadly without positive results. In the coming year, they expect to spend another $15,000. In addition, the next step of their process requires that José, and the two kids, Isaias and Sofía, return to Colombia for several weeks, to await an appointment at the consulate in Bogotá, several hours from where they are from. Between airfare and hotels, the family will easily pay another $5,000.

Despite the enormous expense and stress that their family has been experiencing, they have not lost hope or the strong desire to continue building their lives in Harrisonburg, which they now call home. They love this community, and have formed strong bonds with friends here, whom they consider family. They are ready to take on the next chapter in this journey, with the hope that they will finally have a sense of permanent stability.

I am hoping to raise $15,000 for them, to cover a portion of their costs. Whatever you can donate is deeply appreciated!