A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist Marta Brizeyda Renderos Leiva, a 39-year-old woman detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Salt Lake City International Airport. The fundraiser, organized by her sister Abigail Renderos, aims to cover attorney fees and provide aid for Renderos Leiva's four children, who are all U.S. citizens.
Renderos Leiva is currently held in a detention center in Salt Lake County.
According to Abigail Renderos, the arrest occurred near the baggage claim area on Wednesday, October 29. She stated that the agents involved were dressed in civilian clothing and did not identify themselves or respond to questions regarding the reason for the detention.
While ICE issued a statement claiming Renderos Leiva has a deportation order from 2020 due to a failure to appear at an immigration court hearing, her sister disputes this. Abigail Renderos stated that Marta never received notification of any hearing or deportation order and has maintained the same address since requesting asylum in 2019.
Renderos Leiva holds a work permit valid until 2029, which was renewed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2024.
The incident gained viral attention after a U.S. citizen recorded the encounter at the airport. Abigail Renderos noted that the Mayor of Salt Lake City expressed being moved by the detention.
The fundraiser seeks to help Renderos Leiva obtain the opportunity to defend her asylum case, as she has expressed fear regarding returning to El Salvador.
