My name is Dominique and I’m raising funds to help my mother and our family during one of the most difficult moments of our lives. My mother, Ramona Cofield, has been incarcerated for five years and was scheduled to be released on January 12. However she was informed by an ICE Officer that she will have a detainer and be taken into immigration custody and placed into deportation proceedings.

This news has been heartbreaking and terrifying for us. I am her only immediate family here in the United States. While a few close/extended family and friends do their best to support us during this time, the reality is that this fight largely falls on me. The thought of losing my mom—of her being deported and separated from me—is devastating.

My mom was born in Germany however she came to the United States at the age of 8 years old. She grew up here, built her life here, and has worked hard in this country for many years. Like many people, she has made mistakes—but those mistakes do not define who she is. She is a loving mother, a good person, and someone who deeply cares about her family and community. She has always tried to do right by me and provide the best life she could.

We are urgently trying to raise funds to hire an immigration attorney so we can be prepared to fight her case as soon as she is transferred into the ICE Detention Center. Immigration legal representation is extremely expensive, and this situation came with little warning. The funds raised will be used for:

• Hiring an experienced immigration attorney

• Legal consultations and representation

• Court filings and other necessary legal costs

Time is critical. Without legal help in place, we may lose our chance to fight for her to stay in the only country she truly knows as home.

Any donation—no matter how small—means more than I can express. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser can still make a huge difference. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for supporting us during this painful and uncertain time.

With gratitude,

Dominique