Salvadoran Worker José Maximino Amaya Struggles After Deportation from U.S.
José Maximino Amaya, a Salvadoran worker, was deported after 20 years in the U.S. He returned to El Salvador without possessions, facing an uncertain future while also worrying about family members remaining in the U.S. The economic impact of his deportation underscores the critical role that migrants play in supporting their home countries through remittances. Human rights advocates express concern regarding the treatment of migrants under current policies.
José Maximino Amaya spent two decades living in the United States, only to lose everything when he was detained and deported to El Salvador. Amaya, 50, who worked in construction in New Jersey, returned home on a flight organized by the U.S. government, along with about fifty other deportees. He arrived in El Salvador without any personal belongings, detailing that he was arrested while heading to work on January 25, shortly after President Trump’s return to the White House.
Having emigrated from the agricultural town of Delicias de Concepción in 2005, Amaya never secured a legal immigration status. He believed that by abiding by the law and behaving appropriately, he could avoid detection. His wife was also detained on the same day, leaving their family situation precarious as she now faces her own deportation process.
Amaya’s three children, all born in the United States and aged between 22 and 29, remain there and have legal residency and jobs. They are now alone in a foreign country, unable to reunite with their father. According to human rights advocate Celia Medrano, the treatment of migrants in the U.S. has become increasingly concerning, with many experiencing criminalization due to their immigration status.
Upon landing back in El Salvador, deportees were transferred to a care facility in the capital, where Amaya was reunited with family—his brother, nephew, and other relatives welcomed him back. Approximately 2.5 million Salvadorans reside in the United States, essential in providing support to their relatives in El Salvador and contributing significantly to the local economy through remittances.
In 2024, family remittances to El Salvador were projected to reach over $8.4 billion, equating to 23% of the country’s GDP. This situation exemplifies the potential economic consequences of Trump’s deportation policies, as Amaya would regularly send money to assist his elderly father. Now, Amaya expresses concern about what assistance he and his fellow countrymen will receive under President Nayib Bukele’s administration.
Amaya reflects on his experiences, stating, “It is tough in the United States. It is no longer the American dream; it has become an American nightmare.” Although he faces uncertainty and challenges, he remains resolute and describes himself as a fighter. After a touching video call with his children, Amaya and his relatives set off for Delicias de Concepción, beginning their five-hour journey home.
José Maximino Amaya’s story underscores the harsh realities faced by deported immigrants. Despite years of hard work in the United States, he returned to El Salvador with nothing and concerns for his family’s future. As deportations continue under current policies, the economic implications for families and the country as a whole become increasingly significant. The treatment of migrants raises serious questions regarding human rights and social justice in the U.S.
Original Source: ticotimes.net
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