TECUMSEH, Mich. — Loved ones of America Beltran on Monday held a spaghetti dinner in Tecumseh to fundraise money for her bail. The 22-year-old has been in a Battle Creek, Mich., jail for two months on a DUI charge and faces possible deportation from a country she has lived in since she was one year old.
Maria and Ricardo Beltran, America's parents, moved from Mexico to the U.S. nearly 20 years ago and call Tecumseh home.
"(I brought) my kid over here without papers, but that's my fault," Maria said. "She lived here for 21 years."
America's parents consider her a "Dreamer," a term used to describe people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children by family, derived from never-passed legislation called the DREAM Act.
"She has a life here," Ricardo said. "She knows nothing from Mexico."
America's family is working with an immigration attorney to stop the deportation. But first, they want to raise the bail money to get America out of jail.
Judy Bishop works with the Beltrans at City Limits Diner in Tecumseh and organized the spaghetti dinner fundraiser. She said about 400 meals were sold at the event.
"I have another fundraiser," Bishop said. "I've already raised half of the money, so this should put us really close to the money that we need."
She said all the food was donated and volunteers, like Barry Seidel, stepped up to help.
Seidel said what happened to America was a mistake and he donated his time by collecting money at the event on Monday.
"It makes me feel good to see all the people that have turned out," Seidel said. "So many local people. That's small-town USA."
America's bond hearing is on Wednesday and her parents said if they get a chance to speak with the judge, they will apologize.
"Sorry because my daughter made this mistake," Maria said. "But it's the only mistake that she made."
America's family is unsure if her bond will be granted. If it's not, they plan to use the money raised for legal fees.
They said America did not complete the steps to become a citizen, but she hopes to restart that process.
Bishop told WTOL 11 on Tuesday that the spaghetti dinner raised $10,744. America's hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Editor's note: This story was updated to include the total number of money raised at the fundraiser.