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Justice shouldn't depend on a bank balance: Ethan's family reunification petition

A family reunification petition deadline is approaching and Ethan can't afford the lawyer.

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ San Francisco, California, United States3,468 views
Ethan S. Hawkins
Email verifiedPassport verified
San Francisco
I'm facing a family reunification petition. My hearing is scheduled for November, and the filing fees and the lawyer's retainer come to $2,850. I have been told by three legal-aid offices that their waiting list is longer than my deadline. I have all of my paperwork ready, and my caseworker at San Francisco Welcome Centre has confirmed that my case is valid. If I miss the deadline I could lose my right to stay with my family and my job. My children were born here and this is the only home they know. I'll share any non-sensitive updates as the case moves along. Funds cover only the filing fees, translations and attorney retainer. Where the $2,850 goes: โ€ข Attorney retainer: $2,050 โ€ข Filing and biometrics fees: $650 โ€ข Court-appointed interpreter and travel: $150 Ask me anything below before you decide. I'd rather you were sure.

Updates from Ethan

  1. Update from San Francisco: the plan for attorney retainer is now scheduled. We're at 38% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  2. Update from San Francisco: I met with the attorney and confirmed the amounts. We're at 57% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  3. Update from San Francisco: I met with the attorney and confirmed the amounts. We're at 26% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  • Hina Hira Ali ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐ ยท $50
  • Gheorghe Dumitru ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด ยท $200
  • Anna T. Burke ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $25

    โ€œThought of Ethan all day after reading this. - Clevelandโ€

  • Saeed Zakaria Lotfy ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $24.50
  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $5
  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $50
  • Rubel Joy Kabir ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $30

    โ€œBlessings. Only $30 but hope it helps. - Savarโ€

  • Faith T. Wilson ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $250
  • Aaron H. Davidson ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $50

    โ€œSending love. Hope you get the rest soon. - Duluthโ€

  • Dirk Erik De Graaf ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฑ ยท $77
  • Kavitha B. Varma ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $10
  • Xolani E. Jones ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ยท $500
  • Yaowalak Patcharee Chaiyasit ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ ยท $15
  • Esi Mabel Frimpong ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ญ ยท $10

    โ€œHope it all works out. Small amount but sent with love. - Tarkwaโ€

  • Victoria M. Mills ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $25
  • Isla A. Webb ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $5
  • Marcos T. Ochoa ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $100
  • Hillel Ariel Tal ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฑ ยท $25

    โ€œBest of luck. My neighbor told me about this one. - Tel Avivโ€

  • Hendra Haris Mahendra ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $10

    โ€œHope things get better. Only $10 but hope it helps. - Depokโ€

  • Leah W. Reed ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $10

Reviews

3.0(3 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Abdullah Marwan Sabbagh๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฌVerified donor
    Exactly what I needed

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

  • Arianna G. Vasquez๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งVerified donor
    Helped when no one else could

    Couldn't have asked for better support. They listened carefully, understood my situation deeply, and provided thoughtful advice that actually worked. Thank you so much.

  • Alexa E. Bowers๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งVerified helper
    Great help in a difficult time

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

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  • It takes guts to ask. Well done. Put this on a community board in Embakasi this morning. Thinking of San Francisco

    $3,078.50 raised of $2,850

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