Think Creative - Issue 6

Adonay

Age 23

Karla, 19, saw her large family struggling to get out of debt and left for the U.S. in search of work that could help cover basic necessities for her parents and young siblings.

Location

San Salvador, El Salvador Violence, lack of economic opportunity

Motivation for migrating

“I would describe myself as someone who wants to move forward, who wants a better po- sition in life, a better future, to learn something new every day,” he says. “We are in a country where the doors are closed on us, and we can’t demonstrate our potential or our abilities.” Adonay is an example of how a variety of factors—economic, victimization and transna- tional ties—often converge. Adonay is currently employed at a restaurant in a San Salvador mall, but the thought of his son growing up without himmay pull him back to California. “Mymotivation for returning to the United States would bemy son, to be with himand start tomove forward,” he says. “I would run the risk in order to havemy son inmy arms again.”

“My hope for the future would be to move forward and be able to demonstrate my capacity, to move up little by little.”

Adonay

Deported after more than 5 years in the U.S.

At 18, is released to live with his aunt in Los Angeles

Crosses into the U.S. through Reynosa and turns himself in to immigration authorities

Crosses into Mexico through Chiapas

Isabel, 20, plans to soon start the journey toward the U.S., frustrated with the lack of opportunity she faces in Guatemala, particularly as a young indigenous woman.

Departs San Salvador at 17 years old

“Young people in the Northern Triangle are grappling with many of the same issues as adults, sometimes to an even greater extent.”

– Eliza Chard, Senior Project Manager Workforce Development and Youth

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