Rafael is a 30-year-old native of the Dominican Republic who fled his country due to death threats and extortion from organized criminal groups. He arrived in the United States to seek asylum, and while awaiting his first hearing he started a car washing business, met his partner, and became a father. He was successful enough in his business that he was able to become the sole breadwinner for his growing family, fully supporting his 7-month-old US citizen baby and his partner, who is now pregnant with twins.

In April 2025, police arrested Rafael during a traffic stop. Seeking to comply with his proceedings, Rafael went to his first preliminary hearing where all charges against him were immediately dismissed for lack of evidence. However, ICE was waiting for Rafael at the courthouse and arrested him there despite the dismissal of all criminal charges.

A PAIFUP attorney entered her appearance in Rafael’s case, helped him formally lodge his asylum claim, and promptly sought bond. Numerous family, friends, coworkers, and community members provided letters of support for Rafael, noting his kind and generous character and the ways he had showed up to support them in times of need. In light of Rafael’s strong community support, exigent need to support his family and baby, and lack of criminal record, the Immigration Judge agreed to offer Rafael the lowest bond possible! Rafael is on his way back to his family in Philadelphia, and is eager to continue pursuing his asylum claim with legal representation.



Z is a citizen and national of the People’s Republic of China. He came to the US in 2015 with a student visa. He studied at the University of Pittsburgh and graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts. He remained living in Pittsburgh after his visa expired and worked in different jobs. 

When Trump’s second administration started, Z became scared by all the raids and the threats to the immigrant community, and decided to voluntarily go to the ICE field office in Pittsburgh and let them know his visa had expired, thinking that if he did that voluntarily, they would help him. Little did he know he was going to end up detained that same day. First, he was sent to Moshannon Valley and after a few weeks, he was transferred to South Texas Detention Facility in San Antonio, TX.

It was in Moshannon where we first heard his story, when he was provided an individual orientation through PIRC’s Legal Orientation Program. Z has no criminal record and has a great support network in Pittsburgh. On April 14, IJ Alcorn from the Pearsall Immigration Court, granted a 6k bond. His close friends collected the money for his bond and PAIFUP partner agency Casa San José paid for his bus ticket. Z was released on April 21!