CALL TO ACTION: FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE!! Every little bit and share helps!
On 1/31/18 - ICE deported Joel Colindres, leaving his two US young children and American-born wife; broken and displaced. Despite having an approved I-130 and Visa sponsorship through his valid marriage to his wife, no criminal history and proof of payment of taxes for all his years in the United States, DHS went ahead with the cruel plans and tore this loving family apart, leaving their American dreams shattered.
Please help the family prepare for the new journey ahead without Joel here by sharing their story and this page. While Samantha is employed, she cannot afford their home and bills on her own. The loss of Joel's income is significant. We need to keep the children in their home as to not displace them any more than they have been through with the loss of their dad. This will help with Joel's international phone bill, additional childcare, moving expenses etc.
No amount is too small, every bit counts and is greatly appreciated by the Colindres Family. We thank you again to all for your continued support.
Please also like and follow their page on Facebook "Save Joel Colindres." Sharing their story will create awareness and garner much needed support.
Samantha recently sent out an update as to how the family is doing, please read below:
Many people have been asking for an update on Joel's situation as well as Samantha and the children. We sincerely apologize it has taken a bit of time to give a more formal update on how they're doing. As you can imagine, life on both ends have been extremely stressful; Samantha dealing with life as a single mother, while working full-time, trying to do the legal battle, preparing for possible relocation and keeping her children happy and healthy. Joel on his end being ripped away from all that he loves and worked so hard for, without the justice of his case being heard.
Samantha is struggling, she's left broken and displaced trying to figure out this new routine and normalcy without Joel in it. Trying to comfort their children at night when they cry for their daddy. Trying to not ask for too much from the people behind her and that support her. She's still a warrior and is trying to do it all on her own. All she continues to ask for is the support and prayers you have all graciously given. She's expressed to me that she cannot thank you all enough for the messages, comments of love, donations and all the other means of support. While she's angry at this country for betraying her, Joel and their two children; she is so thankful for the support of the community in which she resides in, the friends, family and the strangers who have become immediate friends overnight. She continues to battle the emotional, mental and physical struggles without Joel daily.
Joel is suffering immensely too. The life he worked so hard to build for 14 years, being suddenly ripped away from him, has taken drastic tolls on his emotional, mental and physical state. Currently he's in hiding in Guatemala as he's received numerous threats, and additionally so has his wife. He's trying to adapt to a country he hasn't been to in 14 years: he stands out, he cannot stop speaking English, he's living without hot water, Internet or basic accommodations he grew used to in the United States. Things that he worked so hard for and is well deserving of, he no longer has. For his safety he's unable to work, even if he were to work he would make $10 a day which isn't much value to put his life at risk for such a minimal amount. He talks to the family once a day as it's extremely costly and there's a huge delay in the conversations that because of the poor connection, it makes it difficult for the children to understand. He is also physically sick right now with what we may believe is yellow fever as he was not vaccinated prior to his departure. Right now he is suffering in that he's unable to provide any financial support or assistance in the legal and possible relocation matters. The once overly active father and husband has now become isolated. Samantha is left feeling overwhelmed having to pick up every single piece of what their life encompasses in the next five years.
We cannot thank you enough for all the support you've shown the Colindres family throughout this ordeal. The generosity, love and support has been overwhelming to say the least. Samantha tries to update as much as she can but I'm sure as you can imagine there is such limited time in her day to do so. She would like for you to all know that she reads all your messages, comments and posts and it's blown away by this unconditional support. She sends you all her love.
Samantha's words today when asked about all of this: "Everything in this life that I'm grateful for, I have because of Joel. If I had to choose, I would choose him over and over again. I will always keep fighting for what's right and that's Joel and our right as a family to be together. I cannot thank you all enough for the love and the support shown to us. This has been the most difficult time of my life but the generosity and kindness given to us has constantly uplifted me on my worst days. Thank you from all of us to all of you." 
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Thank you all again for your support,
Team Save Joel Colindres
Team Save Joel Colindres
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