Hello everyone, my name is Leilani, and I have decided to start a GoFundMe for my best friends, Olivia and Jose.

Jose was brought to the United States as a child by his family and grew up in Arizona alongside his siblings. Jose and Olivia met in 2017, and not long after, they welcomed their first son.

In 2019, Jose was detained by ICE and taken to a detention center for four months. During this time, he had to go through immigration court to determine his next steps. In court, Jose was told that he could fight his case in the United States if he were released on bond. Willing to do anything to stay together, they signed an agreement stating that if Jose remained in the U.S. to fight for his citizenship, he would also need to travel to Mexico for a short period of time to attend an interview with the Mexican consulate. This interview would determine whether he could legally remain in the United States.

Since then, Olivia and Jose have done everything required to pursue citizenship through the proper legal channels. Life continued, and they have since gotten married and welcomed two more children into the world. Throughout this time, they were still required to appear before a judge to verify the legitimacy of their relationship. The judge recognized the genuine love and commitment they share and ultimately closed Jose’s case, bringing enormous relief to their family.

Afterward, they returned to their lawyer to schedule an appointment with the Mexican consulate and begin the I-130 interview process. However, during this time, Donald Trump became president and signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July of 2025. This act allows for immigration judge decisions that were previously finalized to be reopened or reconsidered, making it more difficult and costly for individuals to fight their cases.

As a result, Jose’s case was reopened. Their lawyer filed a motion requesting that the case remain closed, but unfortunately, the judge denied the motion. Following this setback, Jose sought a second opinion, which eventually led him to a new attorney who is better equipped to assist with his case. They have been working with this lawyer since then but recently learned that a removal proceedings hearing has been scheduled for April.

In order for this attorney to represent Jose at the hearing, they must pay $8,500. This news came as a shock, as the hearing is approaching quickly and they were never previously informed that it had been scheduled.

If there is anything you are able to give to help Jose and Olivia during this incredibly difficult time, they will be forever grateful. Thank you for taking the time to read their story and for any support you can offer.