By: Sofia Escudero

With the recent administration, there has been a surge in deportations and the Trump administration has had the highest amount of deportations since 2019. Families all over America have been living in fear of possible deportation, whether they are a citizen or not. New policies have been put into place, such as the ability to be detained based on appearances to determine whether you are an undocumented immigrant or not, this has led to fear in the American people including Lancaster County.

Many in Lancaster have made an effort to help their community in any way they can. Lancaster Neighbor Fund (LNF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing direct financial support to immigrants who are vulnerable to deportation in Lancaster County. They have been around since President Trump’s first term and will be around until needed. They host fundraisers to raise money, including one at Modern Art which raised ten thousand dollars. LNF will continue to have fundraisers throughout this current administration, including one coming up on December 13th. 

December 13th will be a fundraiser hosted by two high school volunteers of LNF; Sofia Escudero and Britney Castillo. Britney Castillo has been a volunteer since the beginning of the Trump administration in 2025, while Sofia Escudero has been a volunteer since President Trump’s first term. Their fundraiser is focused on the upcoming holidays and will be a gift wrapping event. These two volunteers along with other high school volunteers will wrap gifts brought by attendees, and in return, said attendees will donate to the cause. As well as gift wrapping, they will have hot chocolate and coffee stands, along with a craft table. 

The LNF organization strives in caring for the community and working together to help one another. This event is a way to show support for our community. This event will be hosted in the Unitarian Church of Lancaster on 538 W Chestnut St, December 13th at 2 – 5pm. For more updates follow the LNF Instagram page @lancasterneighborfund and stay tuned for more.