Write a letter to the judge
For people who know Valentina personally. A judge deciding on bond wants to know two things: that she will show up to every hearing, and that she is not a danger to anyone. Letters from people who know her are some of the best evidence on both.
Send it by Thursday, October 15 to pledge@helpvalentina.com.
Before you write
- Only write what you have seen or know firsthand. Specific stories are worth more than general praise.
- Don’t describe her immigration case or why she came to the U.S. Her attorney handles that.
- Keep it to one page. Sign it, date it, and include your contact information.
The letter
Fill in everything in [brackets]. The Google Docs button makes your own copy of this version to edit.
[Date]
Honorable Immigration Judge
Re: Valentina Perez Tabares
Dear Honorable Immigration Judge,
My name is [full name]. I am a [U.S. citizen / lawful permanent resident] and I live in [city, state]. I work as [your job]. I am writing in support of Valentina Perez Tabares’s release on bond.
I have known Valentina for [length of time]. We met [how you met: as neighbors, through work, through her au pair family, at school, etc.].
[One or two specific examples of who she is. Did she care for your children, help your family, show up when she said she would? Describe what happened in a few sentences.]
[Optional: what you have seen of her life here, such as her work, her studies, or how she treats people.]
I have no doubt that Valentina will attend every hearing and follow every condition the Court sets. [Optional, only if true: I am willing to help her get to her hearings / meet any conditions of release.]
I respectfully ask the Court to grant her release on bond. Please contact me at [phone] or [email] with any questions.
Sincerely,
______________________________
[Printed name]
[Street address, city, state, ZIP]
[Date]
Honorable Immigration Judge
Re: Valentina Perez Tabares
Dear Honorable Immigration Judge,
I write, together with my [spouse / partner / family member] [their full name], in support of Valentina Perez Tabares’s release on bond. I work as [your job], and [their first name] works as [their job]. We are both [U.S. citizens / lawful permanent residents] and have lived in [city, state] since [year].
We have known Valentina for [length of time]. We met her [how you met: as neighbors, through work, through her au pair family, at school, etc.].
[One or two specific examples of who she is. Did she care for your children, help your family, show up when she said she would? Describe what happened in a few sentences.]
[Optional: what you have seen of her life here, such as her work, her studies, or how she treats people.]
We have no doubt that Valentina will attend every hearing and follow every condition the Court sets. [Optional, only if true: We are willing to help her get to her hearings / meet any conditions of release.]
We respectfully ask the Court to grant her release on bond. Please contact us with any questions. Our contact information is below.
Sincerely,
______________________________
[Your full name]
[Your phone]
[Your email]
______________________________
[Their full name]
[Their phone]
[Their email]
[Street address, city, state, ZIP]
Print, sign and send
- Print your finished letter and sign it in ink on the line above your printed name. Make sure the date at the top is filled in.
- Scan it or take a clear photo, and email it to pledge@helpvalentina.com by Thursday, October 15.
- Her attorney may also ask for a copy of your photo ID.