Mayan Asylum Fundraiser

Castellano Family (Mayan) Asylum Fundraiser

Dear Family and Friends,

Over the past 2 years I have had the good fortune to employ a farm worker from Guatemala who, along with his wife and 3 children, are seeking asylum in the United States. 

Iber, Anna, Esteban and Angelina escaped from an extremely dangerous area of Guatemala, generally known as the Messina.  This area, in the northwest corner of the country and close to Mexico, has been taken over by drug traffickers who move cocaine from South America, through Central America, Mexico and to the United States.  The area is so dangerous with random murders and killings the Peace Corps Volunteers who are posted in Guatemala are restricted from going there.

On top of the violence from traffickers and gangs, the Castellano family, as are millions of other indigenous people, are subjected to discrimination and persecution from the Guatemalan government because they are indigenous Mayan people.   Doctors visits and other basic services are often denied or they are given lower class status.  Their middle child, Angelina, has hip dysplasia and was unable to receive quality treatment (surgery).  Too often life is about connections and who you know in order to receive basic or even emergency care in Guatemala. 

 Obviously the family’s situation is at the forefront of the political debates raging in our country, but their plight is no different for that of millions of others who sought refuge and a better life including our own ancestors.  The Trump administration has made it almost impossible for impoverished but hardworking and honest people to gain citizenship in the U.S.  But there is still a window for this wonderful family.  Their next court date is in 2022 and in the meantime they are allowed to work, pay taxes and live here as they hope for a positive outcome for their asylum case.

 They have hired an immigration lawyer from Harrisburg to represent them and the fees are steep for a one income family.  This fundraiser, now open on the Fundly Website, will be to help the family pay for the legal fees, $15,000.  Please consider donating.  https://fundly.com/mayan-asylum-fundraiser

If you want to know more about the family feel free to contact me directly.

Thanks,

 Mike Nolan

 717-805-7778