Just a few days ago, Luis Manuel Urbina Paredes was doing what he did every day: working honestly to earn a living.

Today, he is being held in an immigration detention center, separated from his family, his friends, and the community that has come to know and care for him.

Those who know Luis understand that this moment does not define who he is. For years, he woke up before dawn to work two jobs, support his family in Venezuela, and quietly help anyone in need. He never looked for recognition. He simply lived his faith by serving others.

Now, he is the one who needs our help.

We are raising funds to cover the legal expenses of his immigration defense and give him the best possible chance to remain with the community he has become a part of.

Luis came to the United States on a tourist visa and later applied for political asylum. While his case has remained pending, he received authorization to work and a Social Security number, as permitted under U.S. immigration law. Since then, he has worked hard, paid taxes, and faithfully complied with every step of his immigration process while waiting for his case to be decided.

On July 8, everything changed when he was detained by ICE during his workday. Since then, our family has been living through uncertainty, but we have also discovered something we will never forget: the extraordinary impact Luis has had on the lives of so many people.

Hace apenas unos días, Luis Manuel Urbina Paredes estaba haciendo lo mismo que hacía todos los días: trabajando honestamente para ganarse la vida.

Hoy, duerme en un centro de detención, lejos de su familia, de sus amigos y de la comunidad que aprendió a quererlo.

Quienes conocen a Luis saben que esta historia no define quién es. Durante años se levantó antes del amanecer para trabajar en dos empleos, ayudar a su familia en Venezuela y tender la mano a cualquiera que lo necesitara. Nunca buscó reconocimiento. Simplemente vivía su fe sirviendo a los demás.

Ahora es él quien necesita ayuda.

Estamos recaudando fondos para cubrir los gastos legales de su defensa y darle la mejor oportunidad de permanecer junto a la comunidad que ha construido y que hoy lo apoya.

Luis llegó a Estados Unidos con una visa de turista y posteriormente solicitó asilo político. Mientras su caso permanecía pendiente, obtuvo autorización para trabajar y un número de Seguro Social, como permite la ley. Desde entonces dedicó su vida a trabajar, pagar impuestos y cumplir con cada paso de su proceso migratorio, siempre esperando que su caso fuera resuelto.

El 8 de julio, todo cambió cuando fue detenido por ICE durante su jornada laboral. Desde ese momento, nuestra familia ha vivido días de incertidumbre, pero también ha descubierto algo que jamás olvidaremos: el enorme impacto que Luis ha tenido en la vida de tantas personas.