In 2001, an earthquake rocked the small Central American nation of El Salvador. At that time, immigrants fleeing the disaster were granted Temporary Protected Status. Twenty-five years later, Salvadorans are the third-largest immigrant group in Aurora; El Salvador even has a consulate there. But now those days may be coming to an end.
Ivania Ortega is originally from El Salvador. Growing up in Los Angeles, Calif., she was surrounded by Mexican and Puerto Rican culture, so she says she was pleasantly surprised to find so many Salvadorans in Colorado when she moved here.
“I started knowing my country better, my people. So, I feel happy to see a lot of my paisanos (countrymen) have grown up like a lot of people with TPS,” said Ortega.
TPS for Salvadorans expired on September 9 and has not yet been renewed. If the Federal government decides not to renew it, those people must leave or be subject to deportation. Ortega says that would be devastating to her community.
“A lot of people are going to break. I mean, a lot of families are going to break. A lot of people that has contributed to this country with their business paying taxes, having their kids growing up here,” said Ortega…