Dakota Smith

Tuesday morning, Josh and I woke up to a text message saying that one of our coworkers had been arrested. He’s originally from Europe and has lived in Knoxville for over 10 years. He’s married and has five children, and over the years he has become a very close friend to us. Monday night, he was pulled over while driving his wife’s car and was taken into custody. He had both his and his wife’s phones with him, along with all of the money they had. Tuesday morning, Josh went to the bank, withdrew money, and went to the jail to bond him out. We were told his bond had been dropped and that he would be released. A few hours later, we found out that ICE had placed an immigration hold on him. We were told that if he was not picked up within 48 hours, the jail would have to release him. During all of this, his wife was left at home with their five children, no phone, no car, and no money, with no idea what was happening. Her car was unregistered, uninsured, and had been impounded. We were finally able to get in contact with her and explain the situation. We prayed ICE would not pick him up so he could return home to his family after the hold expired. Unfortunately, today we received the call that he was picked up by ICE and is being transported to a detention facility tomorrow. Situations like this are becoming all too familiar for many families, but hearing the cries and screams of his children when they learned their dad was not coming home broke something in me. His wife has no family here. She has no transportation to get the kids to school, no way to buy groceries, and no reliable way to contact family for help. I normally keep to myself and don’t make posts like this, but I cannot sit back and watch this family struggle alone. I’m starting a GoFundMe in hopes that we can come together to help this mother and her children through this devastating situation. The funds raised will help cover bills, a new vehicle, food, clothes, toiletries, and other essentials while they navigate this crisis. If you feel led to help—whether by donating money, food, toiletries, clothes, or simply sharing this fundraiser—it would mean more than you know. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.