Loubna Mrie, a Syrian activist and writer turned refugee in New York City, doesn’t want to ask for money—but her friends are on her behalf. Loubna is an asylum-seeker, which wasn’t great under the previous administration but is definitely worse under the present one. As such, she is legally prohibited from accepting any public assistance, like money for food or housing, until her application is finally approved.For all her considerable talents, Loubna can’t legally work in the United States, her permit having expired last June. She’s applied for another, but that won’t come, if at all, until the summer. Loubna is an excellent writer and she has been supporting herself through freelance journalism. But as anyone with the experience of freelancing knows, the income is uncertain and the work is hard to balance with full time study.Another reason she could use the help: As an asylum-seeker, Loubna can’t apply for a loan, either, so borrowing the money is out — and all the while she’s a grad student at NYU, enrolled in the Middle Easter studies program. She is currently having to consider dropping out of school (she started last September). And so here her friends are, trying to help her not do that.What we’re thinking: To help her be more than just get by for a month, let’s try to get her by for three. At $2,000/month for rent and food in Brooklyn, that comes to $6,000. All money raised will be withdrawn directly by Loubna and go toward these expenses.(About me: I first spoke to Loubna while doing reporting for The Daily Beast on the civilian toll of U.S. airstrikes in Syria. We then co-wrote a piece on how the U.S. left can show practical solidarity with Syrians. I am currently based in Los Angeles, where I am an editor at ATTN:.)And while you're here....Check out some of Loubna's writing on the war in Syria.