
Maritza Jaimes, a second-grade dual-language teacher at Bell Elementary, and Victor Castaneda, a science teacher at Deming High School, have been teaching in the Deming district under a J-1 visa,
a non-immigrant visa for individuals approved to participate in work-based and study-based exchange visitor programs.
School Superintendent Dr. Arsenio Romero said the teachers want to apply for an H-B-1 visa, the primary work visa for professionals and students who work in specialty occupations. The H-B-1 visa is valid up to 6 years.
The GoFundMe page narrative said the teachers first came to Deming in 2008 when they were accepted in an education exchange with Mexico.
They returned to Mexico in 2011, but came back to Deming in 2014 on the J-1 visa. That visa expires this month.
The two started their residency process last year, but were recently notified that their applications were denied.
An H-B-1 visa would allow the two to continue teaching in Deming.
The GoFundMe page, which can be located at www.gofundme.com/castanedajaimes has a goal of raising $8,000.