On December 29th, Chaaric Bastidas was apprehended by ICE while walking to Walmart in Malone with her mother and three younger siblings. On January 9th, Jhon Bastidas, her brother, was apprehended by ICE while working at his legal place of employment. We are now concerned about the safety of Yanira, their mother, and their three young siblings, Elimar, Dailin, and Andres. We are working with an excellent legal team to free Chaaric and Jhon, and to prevent the others from being taken. Chaaric and Jhon will each require at least one court proceeding, and there will be fees and costs associated with each of them. We are also hoping to cover any incidental costs for transportation and to support their needs while they are in detention. Additionally, none of the family is able to work at this time due to the detainment of Chaaric and Jhon, and the fact that Yanira and the children are unable to leave their home for fear of being detained. All funds raised will go directly to the family to support all of these needs including groceries, utilities, commissary for Chaaric and Jhon, and any legal fees they incur during this time.

For those who don't know the Bastidas family, Yanira (41), Chaaric (24), Jhon (20), Elimar (11), Dailin (6) and Andres (5) emigrated to the United States from Venezuela in late 2023. They made the arduous journey on foot, fleeing gangs, violence, and destitution, seeking a better, safer life in the United States. When they reached the border they sought asylum. Chaaric was turned away and sent back to Venezuela. Having no one, she made the terrible journey back to the United States on her own. Yanira and the others were sent by the Texas government from Texas to Chicago, where they eventually boarded a bus headed eastward. As the bus drove through Malone, Yanira felt called that they should get off the bus there and make their home in the community. Since then, the community has embraced this family. They have brought their love and light to our town. They have become a fixture at the farmers market where they have a stand selling their delicious Venezuelan cuisine. They attend church at the Centenary Methodist Church in Malone, where they have become beloved members of the congregation. We are heartbroken that ICE has taken this family who has brought nothing but good to our community. They have followed all of the steps laid out before them by the immigration laws. Yanira and Jhon have both received working papers and social security numbers and pay taxes into the system. They have done nothing wrong, and are attempting to follow the rules they were given to stay in this country, and still, ICE has apprehended them. We believe their detention is illegal, and are filing petitions with the court for their release.