Here are the Stories in order of urgency.
Carmen: Bond need: $5,000 by 6/11
Carmen is an indigenous Q'eqchi' speaker who does not read or write in any language, having given up going to school in the third grade because his family lacked the money to continue to send him. He left his home country to support his family and currently takes care of his partner and stepson. He and his partner have a new baby on the way. Prior to his detention, Carmen worked as a mushroom farmworker in Kennet Square. He is a very hard worker and beloved member of his community. He regularly goes to church and cares for his family. On June 4, he was scheduled for a bond hearing but the facility was unable to locate and produce him. The same thing happened on Monday, June 8, but ultimately ICE produced him via phone. His attorney, Andrea Solis Canto, convinced the judge he was neither a danger nor flight risk and was able to secure him a $5,000 bond, which must be paid this week, or he may be ordered removed at his next hearing. This is an URGENT need for a bond, donate here!
Eric: Bond need: $10,000 by 6/12
Eric is a 26 year old young man from Turkey. He came to the US in November 2024 to seek political asylum based on his opposition to Turkey’s government. He was attacked by members of a religious extremist political party at a meeting of an atheist organization where he was advocating for a secular society and the rights of non-religious people. His attackers beat him with batons, leaving a permanent scar on his head, took photos of his ID, and told him to leave the city or they would kill him. He left his city but still was located and threatened with a machete and gun shots. He feld to the US to save his life. EI has no family members in the US. He was working as delivery driver while he pursued his asylum application.
The Defenders filed a Habeas petition for EI, and a judge ordered he receive a bond hearing. Attorney Mike Geoffino worked tirelessly to prepare for bond, collaborating with individuals from the NWIN and Sisters of St. Joseph/Newcomer House Alliance to secure him a bond sponsor and housing. On June 9, he was scheduled for a bond and his attorney convinced the judge he was neither a danger nor flight risk and was able to secure him a $10,000 bond, which must be paid this week. This is an URGENT need for a bond, donate here!
Wayne: Bond need: $15,000
Wayne is from Guatemala. He came to the United States fleeing violence in 2023, and did everything he could to comply with his immigration process. He did not have a hearing scheduled in his case until 2026, but he still filed an asylum application within one year, attended all of his immigration appointments, and got a steady job. While attending an immigration check-in in May, he was detained by ICE at the ICE office on 8th and Arch.
The Defenders filed a Habeas petition for CC, and a judge ordered he receive a bond hearing. On May 19, Chief of Immigration at Defender Lilah Thompson represented him at a bond hearing and showed the judge that he was extremely compliant with the process, had no criminal record, and wished to pursue his asylum claim. The judge agreed, setting a $15,000, which was graciously paid by New Sanctuary Movement through fundraised money. However, this left the fund with little to spare given the high amount of the bond. We are fundraising to replenish the fund due to this large bond, which supports WS in being free. Donate here
Note: Names for the stories have been changed for safety reasons. | 
