Not1moreFamily- please save my dad

Dear family and friends,
I am here today trying to raise money to help offset some of the lawyers’ fees for
my husband Kosal Chhim, or as some of you know him, ͞Browne͟.
On the morning of October 2, 2017, while leaving the house on his way to work,
my husband was ambushed by 6 ICE officers without warning, including one
officer who had a gun and flashlight pointed at him. Kosal was shocked and
confused by the officers’ presence, unable to think of anything he could have
possibly done wrong, any crimes that he had committed. And while Kosal tried to
explain to them that they might have had the wrong man, he was still picked up
by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers just moments later.
That was the last day he was home. He has been in a jail cell for the past 4 months
and is currently awaiting deportation. He missed Thanksgiving, Christmas, his
daughter’s birthday, and his own birthday, all spent in a jail cell among others that
are facing deportation in West Texas. His absence and the looming threat of his
deportation has been an extremely heavy burden on our family.
In 2002, my husband served time for a mistake that he made as a young man.
However, because he isn’t a United States citizen, this mistake is not only
punishable by jail time, but also deportation. Based on the current
Administration’s policy, the ICE wants to deport him back to Cambodia, a country
he left as an infant and a refugee, where he knows no one. He does not read or
write the Khmer language, and is only vaguely familiar with the spoken language.
It is a country, a language, and a life that he has no memory of or connection to.
Everything that he knows and treasures, like his family, home, and job, are all
here in the United States.
My husband is the bread winner in our family. Kosal generously supports his ill
mother, after losing his father in 2013. He also supports his younger brother and
their family. He is well loved by our small community, whom are most retired
servicemen and women. Kosal was their go-to ͞handyman͟. He funded and
organized a project to feed 350 homeless people for Thanksgiving because he wanted to
give back. He works hard and with integrity, gives wholeheartedly, and supports his family, friends, and community.

Two years ago, he fulfilled his American dream of finally owning a ͞house with the
white picket fence͟. We have a two-year-old daughter named Carolyn Shelby
Chhim. Shelby has gone to visit her father a few times while he was here locally at
Farmville Detention Center in Farmville, VA. While she is very young and does not
understand what’s going on, she does know that her father is absent and no
longer where he belongs, by her side. As her mother, watching her cry out for her
father is probably one of the most heartbreaking parts about this whole situation.
I am presently working two jobs and raising our daughter alone, trying to support
the family. I do not want Shelby to grow up separated from her father. Kosal
Chhim deserves to be with his family. He deserves a 2nd chance.
As a mother and a wife, I am kindly asking you to please help us in any way that
you can financially. I set the goal at $20,000, which covers the fees of
his lawyers. I have met with his lawyers and they believe that Kosal has a very
strong chance to win his case. I can manage our monthly bills at home.
I know that money is tight for everyone, but anything that you can do will help
tremendously and will be forever appreciated. Even if you cannot donate, please
pass this along to other friends and family to get the word out. The more people
that see this, the better the chance we have to reach our goal and reunite my
husband with his family. There aren’t any words that can properly express my
gratitude and appreciation, but thank you. Thank you.