How to help Valentina
What happened, what we’re asking for, and what you can do. Each step takes a few minutes.
What happened
Valentina Perez Tabares was detained by ICE on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Lehigh Valley International Airport while catching a domestic flight. She is now being held in Pennsylvania.
Valentina came to the United States legally in 2021 on a J-1 visa to work as an au pair for a Lehigh Valley family. She has had an immigration case pending since 2022 and holds a valid work permit. She works full time, goes to school, and pays taxes. Many families in the Lehigh Valley trust her with their children.
ICE offered her $3,000 to accept deportation, with no guarantee of where she would be sent. She declined so that a judge could hear her case.
What we’re asking for
- That she is released on bond while her case continues.
- That she stays in Pennsylvania while her case is heard.
What you can do
If you live in Pennsylvania
- Find who to contact Phone numbers, mailing addresses and online forms.
- Call your senators and representative A script for the call, plus a short voicemail version.
- Write to your elected officials A letter template to print, sign and mail.