Bring Them Back

On the evening of July 2, 2019, our dear friends Mary and Benjamin, along with three of their family members, were picked up by Federal ICE agents at an unannounced roadblock in Phoenix, AZ. Their three young children were released into the care of extended family, but not before they witnessed the merciless theft of their loving parents.

We know that the five adults are being held in the Eloy Immigration Detention Center in Arizona since that evening. Originally Benjamin was detained at a separate facility, but has moved to Eloy. He has not been able to see Mary since they were taken in. Since then, Mary and Benjamin’s children have been without their parents. Since then, a detention center from which horrific conditions are being reported, has been the place that our valued community members and neighbors, have had to endure. And since then, their friends in Santa Fe, New Mexico, have come together to bring them back home.

We are asking for your help. Right now, we must raise critical dollars to:

-          Cover the cost of the bonds, estimated to be the national average of $10K-15K/per person 

-          Apply towards legal fees incurred (the group has acquired an attorney to represent them in their bond proceedings)

-          Contribute towards each individual’s needs while detained, such as money to cover basic needs (soap, toothbrushes, food, and phone calls)

-          Contribute towards costs related to supporting the children while Mary and Benjamin are detained

The need here is so great, so we'll continue to raise our goal as the campaign continues.

We are grateful for any contribution you’re able to make, and we ask that as you do, that you please hold Mary and Benjamin’s son, Carlos, in mind. At just 18 years old, Carlos had plans to begin college this fall, and then inconceivably, he became the head of his household in a matter of minutes. His entire efforts are now devoted to caring for his younger siblings, and to navigating the legal and financial burden of getting his parents and family members released. The emotional implications for everyone involved are catastrophic. It is our number one priority to have his parents released as soon as possible.

Originally from Guatemala, Mary Perez Juarez and Benjamin Vasquez Ramirez are the nurturing parents to Carlos, 18,  Karen, 11, and Jayron, 9, all U.S. citizens. For over 20 years they have been at home in New Mexico, where they have provided a loving environment for their children, and where they have been the most reliable friends and neighbors to so many.

For every group of people that thinks this inhumane treatment is permissible, there is a group that exists to show them what a loving and supportive community look like. Please join us in helping to reunite this beautiful family, and in our goal to bring them back to our Santa Fe community.