“Support Maricela Martinez and her fam”

To My Fellow Community Members,

My name is Tina, and I am a resident of Norwalk, CA. As many of you are already aware, the current administration has been targeting the Hispanic community in increasingly unlawful and brutal ways. We are living in fear—fear of being torn away from our families simply because of how we look, the language we speak, or where we come from.

Tragically, that fear became a reality yesterday morning very close to home. My neighbor, Maricela M.—a hardworking mother of three—was taken by ICE while getting into her car to go to work. No questions were asked. No due process was followed. She was simply taken.  

The incident caused Maricela to suffer a medical emergency, and she was rushed to the hospital. While she was receiving care, ICE agents deceived the medical staff by claiming to be her family in order to gain access to her room—only to monitor her and ensure she didn’t “escape,” as though she were a dangerous criminal.

As if this traumatic ordeal wasn’t enough, ICE agents also threatened to return and detain the rest of her family to continue to inflict terror and fear.

With the approval and blessing of Maricela’s family I’ve started this GoFundMe to help cover legal fees and essential expenses. I’m asking from the bottom of my heart: if you’re able, please consider donating. If you cannot give, please share the fundraiser with others. Every act of support counts.

This is just one of many heartbreaking stories of abuse by those in power. In moments like these, all we have is each other. Let’s stand together and protect our community.

Thank you for your time, your compassion, and your help.

May God bless you.

— Tina

#HoyPorMiMañanaPorTi