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The Cville Immigrant Freedom Fund (CIFF) is a small, local non-profit that works with individuals and families in paying for legal representation and ICE bond. Our applicants range from recently arrived single mothers who have experienced terrible trauma to longtime residents picked up and detained for driving without a license. In the past year, CIFF has supported 44 people, of whom 19 were freed from detention to reunite with their loved ones.  This, in turn, has indirectly impacted an estimated 120 children both here and abroad.

CIFF is guided by a Board of Directors and Advisory Council that include affected students, direct service providers, legal, accounting and fundraising professionals as well as members of the broader community. We have a dedicated volunteer base, three very part-time, bilingual staff and a full-time volunteer Executive Director. CIFF has allocated $175,000 towards legal fees and ICE bond, accumulated the equivalent of $90,000 in volunteer time and has 500 donor/supporters.  Our work is largely supported by individual donations but we have also received grants from a number of faith-based organizations and the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation. CIFF collaborates regularly with the Legal Aid Justice Center, Capitol Area Immigrant Rights Coalition as well as immigration attorneys in the Cville region, throughout Virginia and nationally.  We are an active member of the National Bail Fund Network.

Personal Statement from Priscilla Mendenhall,

Executive Director, Cville Immigrant Freedom Fund

As co-founder of the Cville Immigrant Freedom Fund, I connect each day with families of those in ICE detention as we work together to free them. One example, among many, comes to mind. Last fall, we received an application for a young Honduran being detained in Rhode Island, even though his family is here in Virginia. He had fled gang violence, traveled 3,250 kilometers on foot and on La Bestia, the dreaded train through Mexico, to the southern border. By some miracle, he got legal representation and, a $7,000 bond, payable in full, at one time. His family, through an aunt who works in food service, raised $4,000. CIFF provided the rest.

On a Saturday afternoon, his aunt and cousin drove to Cville to meet me. We had a cafecito around my dining room table and they give me their family cost share, in 8 money orders. We signed an agreement that assures that their money will be returned by CIFF once ICE reimburses the bond. That Monday, we posted bond. He was released. ICE dumped him at a Greyhound station in Massachusetts where a relative met him with warm clothing and food. They drove all night to his aunt’s home in NoVa.

The next day, I realized that they had failed to sign their money orders. So, they drove back down to Cville, with him. I cannot begin to tell you what it meant to see his face and to speak with him. He is an old soul, certainly made much older by what he had been through, with an elegance and grace I have rarely seen, especially in someone so young. He smiled with great sweetness but, had a difficult time making eye contact even though I did not ask any direct questions.

A couple weeks later, I asked if he would give us a testimonial, making sure he knew this was not required in any way. This is what he wrote:

“I have been fleeing from my country because I am persecuted by criminals just because I witnessed one of their many crimes. They tortured and tried to kill me.  I am very scared to return to my country because I will surely be tortured again and certainly killed. I have been in ICE custody for 5 months. Now I will continue my asylum process.”  His English is very good so, he intended to register in school immediately, and work once he obtained authorization.

In the past two months, CIFF has posted bond for 15 people including a Salvadoran high school girl and her father, a gay Muslim man from West Africa, and an indigenous Guatemalan who also fled torture and extortion to be detained at the border.

We do not believe anyone should be held on an immigration violation.  While this is always true, it is especially pressing now since scientists believe that between 72-100% of all ICE detainees will get Covid-19.

Please join with us as we collectively obtain release for as many as we can, by giving what you can.

With our deep gratitude for your support.