Our Story
Fianza Fund & Detained Migrant Solidarity Committee, Fall 2018
|
The Fronterizx Fianza Fund was created in January 2018 by members of the Detained Migrant Solidarity Committee.
After years of building solidarity with people detained in the region, we observed that many people were detained indefinitely simply because they couldn't afford to pay for their freedom. People were signing-off on their own deportations out of despair, and families were being exploited by for-profit bail bond companies. Detained compañerxs themselves shared their idea for a solidarity fund, and we started the Fianza Fund by simply pooling together a few thousand dollars through local fundraising efforts. Fronterizx Fianza Fund is an active member of the National Bail Fund Network. We are an all-volunteer collective based in El Paso, Cd. Juárez, and New Mexico. |
Year 1: Fighting for Freedom Amidst Manufactured Chaos
Launching on January 24, 2018 Fianza Fund was able to post 54 bonds over the course of the year. In collaboration with families and other organizations we coordinated over a dozen additional bond postings; paid for post-release transportation for numerous individuals; and deposited hundreds of dollars into commissary and phone accounts for those still in detention.
In our first year:
In our first year:
- The average bond amount was $5,615
- 8 local families (New Mexico-West Texas) were able to bond out loved ones
- 10 people who were separated at the border from their kids or grandkids were reunited
- 29% of compañerxs bonded out were LGBTQ (including 9 people detained in Cibola's 'trans pod')