UPDATE:

Thank you all for helping us meet the goal of 5K we set in Dec! You helped us cover the family's expenses for Dec & Jan as well as the lawyer's fee, and we are SO grateful for your care and generosity. Now that we're raising money for Marcelo's bond, we're bumping up our overall goal.

Over a month ago, Marcelo--a Berea resident who has lived, worked, paid taxes, and supported his family in Madison County for over 25 years--was detained by ICE. The following week, his spouse Melinda was in a debilitating car accident, leaving her unable to operate their business, Mi Costeñita de Acapulco. We started this GoFundMe to help cover their immediate personal and business expenses while neither is able to work and start to save toward expected legal fees. Now, our immediate focus is the bond money. See full 1/14/26 update below for more details.

Melinda needs our support. She is the heart and soul behind Mi Costeñita de Acapulco, a beloved local restaurant and grocery store. Over the past few weeks, she has faced unimaginable challenges. First, her spouse was detained by ICE, and then she was in a debilitating accident and totaled her car. Now, she is unable to operate the restaurant, and the bills are quickly piling up without either of their incomes to support them.

Melinda has always been there for her community, offering delicious meals and a welcoming space for everyone. Now, she needs our help. Our goal is to raise enough money to cover her personal and business bills through the end of January and provide a cushion that can go toward expected legal bills. This will ensure she can keep her business afloat while she recovers. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference in helping Melinda navigate this incredibly difficult time.

Please consider supporting Melinda so she can focus on healing and eventually return to the restaurant and community she loves. Your kindness and generosity will help her get through this challenging chapter and remind her that she’s not alone. She also asks for prayers, prayers, prayers♥️♥️♥️

Thank you!

Megan & Rachel