Free LGBT migrant women! #Rainbow4

For the last several months, Transcend Arizona has been working with Nancy, Alejandra and Barbara in ICE's trans pod at the Cibola County Correctonal Center in rural New Mexico, and with Jessyca in the notorious Eloy Detention Center in rural Arizona. Only a bond of $1500 separates each of these women from the chance to be free from immigration detention. Unfortunately, none of these women has family in the US who could pay their bonds. All four women are fighting in court to be able to stay in the US, a process which can take years. Now, with bonds, they have a chance to get out and fight their cases on the outside, surrounded by supportive community.

Nancy M. is a trans woman from Honduras, fleeing transphobic violence in her country. She came to the US border to request asylum, but was immediately sent to a detention center. When Nancy's bond is paid, she hopes to move to Phoenix to settle near the trans friends she made in detention and heal from trauma in a trans-affirming community. After she learns more English, she hopes to study to become a professional in the cosmetics or fashion industries.

Alejandra L. is a trans woman from Guatemala, fleeing transphobic violence in her country. She came to the US border to request asylum, but was immediately sent to a detention center. After Alejandra gets out of detention, she plans to move to Phoenix to settle near friends she made in detention and rebuild her life in the supportive LGBT migrant community. She hopes to go to college to study fashion design.

Barbara C. is a trans woman from Honduras, fleeing transphobic violence in her country. She also came to the US border to request asylum, but was immediately sent to detention. After Barbara is released, she plans to settle in Phoenix. She wants to improve her English, find a stable job and go back to school.

Jessyca T. is a young bisexual cis woman who was born in Mexico to a mother who abandoned her after two months. She was taken in by an aunt who brought her to the US when she was 4. She was always treated as less important than her cousins and has struggled with low self esteem and ADHD. From the ages of 13 to 18, Jessyca was in the custody of the state of Arizona, where she bounced around between different group homes and foster care. After aging out of the foster care system, Jessyca experienced periods of homelessness and drug addiction. In immigration detention in Eloy, Jessyca has made strides towards recovery. She has a donated space ready for her at a residential rehab clinic as soon as she gets out of detention. Jessyca's dream is to study psychology and help disadvantaged young people, especially those who have been through situations similar to hers and those with low self-esteem.

Please become a donor today to help the #Rainbow4 get free from immigration detention. Once the money is raised, they could be free within 24 hours. Every contribution counts!

Transcend Arizona  is a grassroots trans and LGB migrant community collective working towards liberation from all cages and borders.

Any amount that is raised in excess of the #Rainbow4 bonds will go directly to pay the bonds of other trans and LGB migrants. When their bonds are returned at the end of immigration proceedings, 100% of the funds will go directly to pay the bonds of other trans and LGB migrants.

The fundraiser amount is somewhat higher than the bond amount so that we can cover processing fees.