PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — It’s been 30 years since Juan Jose came to the United States from his home in El Salvador.
“It’s beautiful,” he said, “but the problem is gangs and economy.”
Since he left, he’s built a new home for his family in Beaverton, opening up Sabor Salvadoreño, one of the only Salvadoran restaurants in the metro, nearly 10 years ago. Building a new life here is something many immigrants have done. A lot of them don’t want to go back, but now they might not have a choice.
On Monday, the Trump Administration announced the end to special protections for 200,000 Salvadoran immigrants. The program was created to help people of countries affected by war, epidemic or other disasters. Salvadoran immigrants protected under the program will have until Sept. 9, 2019, to leave the country or face deportation.
The decision marks the 4th of these programs President Donald Trump has cut since taking office.
Jose is now an American citizen, but he worries about the people who may have to go back to El Salvador after spending years — and even decades — in the United States.
“Over there in El Salvador its hard to find jobs,” Jose said as his son, Junior, translates. “So other people will turn to violence and do things that are not the best. Just because they are trying to survive.”
He also worries about what it could do to families.
“These families are going to be separated, kids are going to be separated from their parents, and a lot of people will be making decision to leave their kids here,” Jose said.
And even though Jose is protected, he wants people to know the value of his fellow immigrants.
“We are not bad people, we have a lot to contribute to this economy, we are hard working individuals and we want to see this country rise,” he said.