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A fundraising campaign launched on the GoFundMe platform seeks to gather financial support to cover the legal defense of Cuban brothers Liosmel and Liosbel Sánchez, demonstrators from July 11, 2021 (11J), who have been detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since May 20.
The case of the young people, already reported by activists and independent media, has sparked a wave of solidarity on social media, where calls to contribute through donations or to share the initiative are multiplying.
“They are at risk of returning to their country. They have no family in the United States, they are practically alone. We need help to cover part of the expenses for their legal processes,” explained the campaign organizer, Cristhian González de la Moneda, in the text published on the platform.
"They deserve a dignified life."
González de la Moneda, who claimed to have shared key moments of the protests in Havana with them, recalled that Liosmel was studying Medicine in Cuba before joining the marches outside the Capitol on July 11, 2021.
His brother Liosbel also participated in those massive protests, which marked a turning point in citizen opposition to the Cuban regime.
Both left the island and managed to reach the United States in December 2024, after spending a year in Mexico and completing the entry process through CBP One. Once on U.S. soil, they applied for political asylum, attended the court hearings, and complied with the steps required by immigration authorities.
On May 20, 2025, however, upon leaving a hearing where the judge decided to close their case, they were detained by ICE agents and sent to immigration detention centers in Arizona. Since then, they have been in a legal limbo that could lead to their deportation to Cuba.
"They are hardworking people, eager to make a fresh start, and they have never committed any crime. Let us not leave these brave individuals alone; they deserve a dignified life and should not have to return to the country they fled from in search of freedom," insisted the fundraiser organizer.
An expensive and divided defense
The campaign's text emphasized that the situation is complicated because, although they are siblings, their cases must be processed individually, which doubles the legal expenses.
The immigration process in U.S. courts involves payments to lawyers, interpreters, documentation procedures, and possible appeals, which is unattainable for young people in their current situation of confinement.
For this reason, the GoFundMe campaign aims to raise enough funds to ensure that both can have adequate legal representation and that their procedural rights are respected in the United States.
Wave of solidarity on social media
The campaign has received support from activists and members of the Cuban community in exile. On the social network X (formerly Twitter), activist Magdiel Jorge Castro warned: "These young people cannot be deported to Cuba... anyone who can help with their defense, here are the details."
For its part, the San Memero account (belonging to González de la Moneda) emphasized that the brothers "have no one else in the United States" and requested donations or, at the very least, to share the campaign link to amplify its reach.
A case that reflects the vulnerability of exile
The arrest of the Sánchez brothers adds to other recent episodes of Cubans from the 11J at risk of deportation from the United States. Recently, the rebellious rapper El Funky, performer of the song Patria y Vida, revealed that he also faces an order of expulsion from the country.
These cases have reignited the debate about the situation of Cuban asylum seekers, many of whom, after fleeing repression on the island, face legal uncertainty in U.S. territory.
Meanwhile, family members, friends, and activists insist that the priority now is to prevent Liosmel and Liosbel from being returned to Cuba, where they could face imprisonment for their participation in the protests.
"Any help counts, from the smallest donation to those who can share the link. A united community can make a difference," concluded the campaign's message.
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