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 immigrants 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 IF DACA IS REPEALED, WE DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER THEY WILL HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE THEIR FAMILIES AGAIN.Please donate and help reunite these families during the holiday season before its too late!
MARTIN J. BATALLA
NEW YORK CITY to MEXICO CITY
Martin has been unable to travel to Mexico to see family for over 18 years.
Martin's grandmother recently underwent surgery on her legs, but suffered complications including a heart attack.
Nominating Organization: Make the Road New York
"My name is Martin J. Batalla and I was born in Mexico City on September 17, 1990. My mother and father travel to United States for a better future for my younger brother and I. Mi abuelita - which in English is grandma - was a second mother to us. She took care of us very well, even though our parents were so far away, she always make sure we have communication with our parents. My mother was making a life of her own in the United States by working two jobs, so she can be able to provide us the financial support while we where still living in Mexico with my grandmother. I could just imagine that struggles my parents went through just for us to have a decent life. I can imagine the pain the went through knowing that it might be the last time they see their parents. Unfortunately that is the sad part of being undocumented. We come to this country for better opportunity - to have an education, something our parents never had. I'm very grateful for my grandmother for being able to give us that unconditional love and supporting my parents on their decision to come to the United States for a better future. Even though we had to leave her to come to the United States, I always knew it was temporarily.
My paternal grandmother is now 70 years old and her health is deteriorating as days go by - it has been 18 years since I have seen her. I want to thank her for everything she has done for me while I still have the chance. I am applying for advance parole and I am humbly seeking for your support to be able to pay for the plane ticket. Right now I work as a janitor at a health club - I was going to school to become a medical assistant but had to stop because I do not have the money to attend. I am very hopeful for getting the opportunity to see my grandmother for what could possibly be the last time.
I want to thank DACA and Hello Vuelo for this opportunity to let me be able to travel back to my country where I was born and to see my grandmother again, this is a dream come true. Thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart."
Martin is a undocumented LGBTQ youth organizer with Make the Road New York - fighting for the rights of his community. He is a plaintiff in a court case filed on behalf of undocumented youth to preserve the protections of DACA in New York. Please support this courageous community advocate and help fund his journey.