Support for Esmeralda Romero Lopez
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"Sometimes only one person is missing and the whole world feels depopulated."
On Tuesday June 16, Esmeralda Romero Lopez was detained by ICE. It was a day of heartbreak and sadness. It was a day of rage about this injustice. Esmeralda is a bright eyed, sensitive, beautiful, passionate woman. ICE declared that she is "illegal", and a "flight risk"--neither could be farther from the truth.
Her dreams are her prayers for her father who is very ill with cancer, and for her mother who is caring for him. Her hopes are of (soon) getting her GED and being able to study further to be a Medical Assistant. She very much loves her children and young grandchild, her stepchildren, and her partner, Julio.
Esmeralda's entire life has been in the US. She came here as a child with her family. Many years ago, when Esmeralda was a teen and in her 20s, she was the victim and survivor of abuse and trafficking. She committed some non-violent survivor crimes (theft and use of a false ID) during that period of her life. After having been deported, she was smuggled back into the US by a gang, and was abducted and sex trafficked.
Esmeralda has completed all her legal cases for the criminal offenses of long ago. Several months ago, she began working on her visa to legalize her immigration status. Just last week she was so hopeful and optimistic about her future--school plans, intention to ask her P.O. if she could visit her dying father in California. She played by all the rules, doing every step as the court or ICE ordered.
Yesterday, ICE did not see that humanity. They did not care about a woman who has faced abuse. They did not dignify Esmeralda as a human being. When she arrived for an ICE check-in, she was immediately placed into detention.
Julio, her partner of many years is a heavy construction worker. Fortunately, he is able to keep working during these time of COVID-19, but his earnings are not enough to cover all the legal expenses.
Now we, her supporters, are asking for your generosity to donate funds for the legal expenses to get her released from NW Detention Center as well as money to put in Esmeralda's account at NWDC for commissary items and phone calls.
Thank you so much for your donations to help Esmeralda and all your support for her case. We will update with information as Esmeralda's case progresses.
We work for justice for Esmeralda and for all. There are none who are strangers.
On Tuesday June 16, Esmeralda Romero Lopez was detained by ICE. It was a day of heartbreak and sadness. It was a day of rage about this injustice. Esmeralda is a bright eyed, sensitive, beautiful, passionate woman. ICE declared that she is "illegal", and a "flight risk"--neither could be farther from the truth.
Her dreams are her prayers for her father who is very ill with cancer, and for her mother who is caring for him. Her hopes are of (soon) getting her GED and being able to study further to be a Medical Assistant. She very much loves her children and young grandchild, her stepchildren, and her partner, Julio.
Esmeralda's entire life has been in the US. She came here as a child with her family. Many years ago, when Esmeralda was a teen and in her 20s, she was the victim and survivor of abuse and trafficking. She committed some non-violent survivor crimes (theft and use of a false ID) during that period of her life. After having been deported, she was smuggled back into the US by a gang, and was abducted and sex trafficked.
Esmeralda has completed all her legal cases for the criminal offenses of long ago. Several months ago, she began working on her visa to legalize her immigration status. Just last week she was so hopeful and optimistic about her future--school plans, intention to ask her P.O. if she could visit her dying father in California. She played by all the rules, doing every step as the court or ICE ordered.
Yesterday, ICE did not see that humanity. They did not care about a woman who has faced abuse. They did not dignify Esmeralda as a human being. When she arrived for an ICE check-in, she was immediately placed into detention.
Julio, her partner of many years is a heavy construction worker. Fortunately, he is able to keep working during these time of COVID-19, but his earnings are not enough to cover all the legal expenses.
Now we, her supporters, are asking for your generosity to donate funds for the legal expenses to get her released from NW Detention Center as well as money to put in Esmeralda's account at NWDC for commissary items and phone calls.
Thank you so much for your donations to help Esmeralda and all your support for her case. We will update with information as Esmeralda's case progresses.
We work for justice for Esmeralda and for all. There are none who are strangers.
Organizer and beneficiary
Maxine Fookson
Organizer
Portland, OR
Julio Ramos
Beneficiary