Family Calls for Help for Turkish Youth Held in Texas!

The 20‑year‑old Turkish youth Çınar Yiğitalp, living in the United States, is being held at the Bluebonnet Immigration Detention Center in Texas as part of the immigration process. According to information shared by Turkish immigration lawyer Okan Şengün in the U.S., Yiğitalp entered the United States in November 2023 at the age of 17 on a valid visa and was included in his family's asylum application.

He Arrived in the U.S. at 17, Graduated from High School, and Was Coaching.

Having graduated from high school in May of this year, Yiğitalp had been working as an assistant coach for about five months before being detained. Şengün said the young man had no criminal record in either Turkey or the United States. Yiğitalp was detained at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on September 26, 2026.

Court Sets Bail at $60,000

The owner of Okan Law Group, a firm that serves immigration law and asylum, and his team filed a petition on October 8 for Yiğitalp's release on bail. The El Paso Immigration Court accepted the petition on October 14 and set the bail amount at $60,000. The decision opens the possibility for the young man to return to his family while his immigration case proceeds, provided the required conditions are met. However, the specified amount must be paid.

Family Launches GoFundMe Appeal

Yiğitalp's family launched a GoFundMe donation campaign called 'Bring Cinar Home' to cover the costs of the bail procedures. The campaign is organized by his brother Çağrı Yiğitalp. As of October 17, 2026, the page shows that 117 donors have raised a total of $3,961, with a goal of $5,000. The campaign description mentions a need of $9,000 for the bail procedures.

"Not a Lawyer's Fee, but Bail Amount"

Okan Şengün emphasized that the $60,000 set by the court is not a lawyer's fee to be paid to his own law firms. Şengün, stating that the amount is the bail set by the court, requested that the family's plea for help be supported.

Donation Link for Those Who Want to Support

Şengün, noting that immigration detention affects not only the detained person but also their family, called for solidarity so that Çınar could reunite with his family. He said that those who cannot donate can still help by sharing the campaign to reach more people.

To access the donation campaignclick.