URGENT: REUNITING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES UNDER DACA
NovEMBER 2016 - JanUARY 20th, 2017
HELP US REUNITE FAMILIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
Hello Vuelo is raising $20,000 to send low-income undocumented young adults who have status under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to visit family in their countries of birth before January 20th, 2017 when Trump takes office and potentially rescinds this important program. These travelers came to the United States when they were children and some have not seen family members in over 20 years. IF DACA IS REPEALED, WE DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER THEY WILL HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE THEIR FAMILIES AGAIN.Below are a few of their personal stories in their own words. Please donate and help reunite these families before Trump takes office!
GUSTAVO MADRIGAL
NEW YORK CITY to GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
Gustavo's grandfather lives in Mexico - he has not seen him in 16 years. His grandfather is suffering from lung & kidney failure and recently had surgery to remove a brain tumor.
Nominating Organization: Make the Road New York
"After my DACA application was filed earlier this year and a work permit became a real possibility, the dream of being granted Advanced Parole and traveling to México to see my grandfather took precedent over almost everything else in my life. I came to the US when I was 9 years and I have not seen my grandfather since then - I am now 25. For the past two and a half years, my grandfather has suffered from severe health complications, specifically a tumor lodged in his brain that gave him a 25% chance of survival if doctors attempted to remove it. Recently, he had surgery to remove the tumor and it was successful, but his lungs shut down and he is now on dialysis treatment. Now that my DACA is approved and with a Trump presidency in a few months, my dream--my mother's dream--of visiting my grandfather before he leaves this world is the most important goal. At this critical time, I can not imagine the hope my grandfather feels to see one of his favorite grandsons all grown up, taller than him, with a different voice and different mannerisms than the child he hugged goodbye in 2001. I hope I will see him again; not just for me, but for my mother also."
Gustavo's powerful story was told in the documentary The Graduates - a film about undocumented youth and their struggle to pursue higher education. He is a recent college graduate and dynamic community organizer, tirelessly fighting for the rights of immigrants at Make the Road. Please help us reunite him with his family!
FUNDRAISING UPDATE (11/28/17): $515 raised of $1500 goal