URGENT: Help Us Bring Juan Barbosa Home

Hello Friends and Family we are reaching out in desperation for help.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, October 15, our father, Juan Barbosa Gomez, was unlawfully detained while arriving at Columbia Park with his wife for their regular walk. As they were looking for a parking spot, three unmarked vehicles suddenly surrounded their car. One even drove directly in front of them with speed, forcing them to a halt. The other two vehicles blocked them from behind, leaving them trapped.

Several men exited the vehicles wearing gear labeled “police” and claimed they had a warrant for Juan's arrest. But when repeatedly asked to show identification or proof of the warrant, they refused. Despite our parents having valid work visas and personal identification, the men would not listen or review any documentation.

They threatened to break the window unless Juan stepped out of the vehicle. Wanting to avoid escalation, Juan did not resist and he complied. He was immediately placed in handcuffs that were so tight they caused swelling and numbness in his fingers for over 24hrs. Due to the large number of bystanders recording, the men moved Juan to a different location of Clarendon Park, where he was stripped and searched. Again without ever being shown proper credentials.

Since then, our father Juan Barbosa Gomez has been transferred across multiple states without proper notice or legal process. He was first taken to the ICE detention center in downtown Portland, then moved late at night to Tacoma, Washington, and later again in the night to Arizona. We currently do not know his whereabouts or what facility he is being held in. He has not appeared in front of a judge or received a court date. Communication with him has been extremely limited.

His treatment in custody has been poor, and he is in unacceptable conditions. There are no official records of his detention on the ICE detainee locator, and we have received no formal documentation confirming his arrest.

Juan Barbosa is a hardworking family man who has always done things the right way. His work visa is valid, and he does not deserve to be treated this way. We are terrified for his safety and doing everything in our power to bring him home.

We have started a GoFundMe to raise funds for legal representation. Things are moving rapidly and against his will. We need urgent help to fight this. Any contribution can make a big difference. Most importantly, please share the link widely on your social media and with your communities.

If anyone has resources, legal contacts, or advice that could help us locate Juan and assist in his release, please reach out via email at [email redacted]. We are in an incredibly difficult time and doing everything we can to bring our father home safely.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

—The Barbosa Family