My Abuela's Immigration Story From El Salvador to the U.S.

[@ashleyescobar7458]

I am first generation Honduran-American and I couldn’t be more proud of my parents for making that sacrifice for my sister and I.

[@richcarp3538]

Ashley Escobar same

[@citocitocito]

Ashley Escobar Me too! :)

[@ruthcruz35]

Ashley Escobar Amen to that 💖

[@jaklynhernandez1781]

Same ☺️

[@nico70890]

Go back

[@tieiatalks]

My grandparents came from Mexico in the 40s and they were fortunate enough to be able to come here legally. My grandparents open a shutter business and did many sets on Hollywood lots. They made the decision to only hire undocumented workers and my grandmother would spend her days getting their paperwork done so they could become citizens. I feel like there’s a special place in heaven for her.

[@karenarvizu5337]

Beautiful story 💕

[@raqueld4899]

😍😍😭😭😭🤧🤧

[@error_delete_8739]

"You said I was going to be on TV" Awww that was so cute !!

[@melissacano5192]

My dad and I were talking about this the other day and he was like mija no crees que no extraño también mi familia en Guatemala ? Mis padres se están asiendo viejos y también mis hermanos y hermanas .Deje todo lo que conocía para venir para acá y solo era para unos años y ahora tengo 22 años aquí . Y si fuera yo , desde cuando me iría peté te tengo a ti y a tu hermana y quiero que tengan la mejor educación. I swear I am so proud of everyone who crossed the border to survive and make a life here even if they don’t want us , it shows how strong they are and how strong we should be too ❤️

[@ApRiL3706]

Melissa Cano This made me tear up. I can totally relate.

[@Carla_7r]

My family's Guatemalan too. They say their plan was to only be here some years, save up some money and go back. The majority stayed for the same reasons as your dad. I'm so grateful for their hard work and sacrifice. Those who hate on immigrates have no idea what they have gone through. ❤️🇬🇹

[@melissacano5192]

Carla Rivera i totally agree , they hate without knowing all the sacrifices they have made for us

[@chgl7500]

Melissa Cano I think alot of us can relate to this, my family had the same plans when they came from Mexico 🇲🇽, but little by little with hard work and dedication they became successful & theres not a day I dont thank god 😅

[@felicidadesjk9857]

When my dad immigrated from El Salvador he was only 14. He finally got the the courage to go back to see his family after 28 years. It was very sad and everyone was crying,🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻

[@cameroncameron939]

SALVADORIANS WHERE YOU AT!!!! I LOVE Y’ALL

[@lucia.8575]

REPRESENT🇸🇻

[@nokpopnolife9485]

What’s good 🇸🇻❤️

[@jonriclopez8634]

No se me aguiten!

[@cindyalvarez1056]

Cameron Cameron 👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼

[@cameroncameron939]

That’s wassup

[@danielagalvan9356]

Who else is scrolling through the comments...but like with the fear that some rude person is going to say something disrespectful....anyway those people that do say rude things disgust me Bc they have no idea what our families went through just so WE could have some type of decent life😭♥️

[@susalkasarahi]

Daniella Galvan I'm actually scrolling down to see other people's immigration story.

[@danielagalvan9356]

_susalka well I was too but then again I was kinda scared about what other people were going to say...

[@zivo439]

Daniella Galvan Both.

[@purrrbitch2196]

Daniella Galvan if someone says some rude shit ima go all out on them

[@danielagalvan9356]

Gerardo Godina 👌🏽yes

[@anacamposrosales5188]

This is so touching and it made me emotional because I had family from El Salvador that had to do the same thing to get here.

[@dulceneenee]

Gracias curly por partir esa historia y su abuelita con nosotros

[@slugdoom5373]

dulceneenee Latinos unidos ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏿

[@albarnliz2467]

this really brought tears to my eyes bc my family suffered so much due to the war and my mom was even held in a refugee camp

[@melaryvalencia1975]

❤️🇸🇻 I have So so much pride in being salvadoreńa like we might be a small country but the people from there make up for it

[@madelyna363]

Curly hablando español es lo más tierno 😍

[@anythingsgood236]

I went to El Salvador for the first time a few years ago with my pops. Beautiful country; Puerto de La Libertad’s fish market was awesome. Shoutout to Gladys.

[@LAcaligurl21]

I love how Curly really embraces his salvadorian culture, much appreciated! and please keep making more videos with mama Gladys! :)

[@Mikelovesmuseums]

My mom came from Ecuador in the 80s and endured a similar trip. Running and hiding. I'm so proud of her.

[@thehopeofeden597]

I needed this! Abuela Gladys gives me so much hope, so beautiful and determined!

[@theseeker2360]

I remember when I was six years old I came home from school I entered my house and my mother was very happy she tu rned to me and my sister and I still remember those words. " ustedes van al estados unidos" it tokk a few Months, an few shots when finally my dad came from the us to get me and my sister, it was February when I got to America and boy did that freezing temperature hit me like a tree. 6 years I've lived in America. I miss my family and El Salvador.

[@MarisaShorty]

Your Abuela is such a sweet person, her story is amazing! I legit think this is my favourite pero like video so far! ❤

[@xxiluvnileynjoejxx]

Thank you, Curly for doing this and sharing your abuelita’s story!!

[@sofiacuna4033]

I love this video. I show the video to my dad and he started to cry. We are all from El Salvador.

[@vram210]

This story had me in tears! Gladys is an amazing lady. Thanks for sharing her story curly.

[@kenpachicg]

We need more videos like this My parents both left from thier countries, EL Salvador and Honduras for similar reasons.

[@gzh619]

Awww such beautiful jewel you have as a grandmother. Cherish her legacy and never ever forget her struggles so that it gives you the strenght you may need someday. Always stay true to your roots.

[@cpolanco18]

I love Curly’s abuela. She just seems so sweet. ❤️

[@tiffycorn8905]

This reminds me of my mother’s story. She came from San Vicente at 17 years old and I could not be more proud of her ❤️

[@helloyadi]

I loved this!!! Thank our Curly for sharing your wonderful abuelita with us!

[@lluviaruiz1820]

Her voice is so sweet!it makes me want to give her a hug and call her my abuelita 💖

[@datharley216]

This is amazing. I have parents who immigrated to the U.S from el salvador as well and i never asked for their storys. This made me understand more about them and i just love this! I am proud of my family my parents.

[@lifewithsimone8704]

Their Spanish is so perfect 😩😍 and what a story to tell

[@YeseniaValdivia]

My sisters mom also came from El Salvador and my dad came from Cuba in the 80s. They both have very sad stories. No one can really sit through them without many tears

[@anne-mariesaintjohn424]

I love Curly's abuelita! She's the sweetest thing and they have a wonderful relationship!

[@EllieMcHale1]

Gladys! Que bella. Thanks for sharing her story, Curly.

[@jazzy10459]

My parents and most of my family came from Nicaragua to Florida and Colorado, in search of a better life. So grateful for their efforts!

[@maggiematheson6899]

My favorite story... My mom's side of the family has the same story. We have strong, courageous blood running through our veins...

[@luxr13]

Beautiful story I can definitely appreciate Grandma Gladys story❤

[@alejandraamezcua5057]

Curly! This is a great video vital to our current events. I appreciate your story and your abuelita’s!

[@imarasong5889]

ALL SALVADORANS UNITE!!!❤❤❤

[@ariannar.1676]

My family fled el Salvador from the war.😭😭😭I miss my country.

[@AlphaPheonix85]

Bravo Zulu, I love this channel!! Please keep educating and giving us realness. Thank you for working so hard, you all have touched my life....Bravo Zulu!!! I am a committed subscriber!!!

[@LoboMendez1]

Thank you for sharing your grandmother's story, it's opened my own flood-gated memories. This made me miss my family so much!! my immigration story is complicated, like most. I find myself in Mexico City, now, separated from my family in Texas. I've been here for 7 years, working through red tape, trying to get my birthright citizenship granted, so I can go back to where I grew up as a permanent resident, but the longer I'm away, the more anxious I get about going back to live in the US. Mexico is where I was born, it hadn't been home since I left when I three years old in 1984. Naturally, getting put out in 2010 after very confusing and threatening run-ins with border patrol agents and other judicial agencies, the sudden move came like blunt force trauma, figuratively, but I've got the prozac to prove literal psychological trauma. I've fought hard to make a home here without my family, formative friendships and the collective imaginary that underwrites and geographically grounds our sense of home, and it's a hard work in progress. I love Mexico, not just because I was born here or bc my heritage and ancestry stretch back for generations, but also because after my deportation, Mexico made it very easy for me to integrate into society, and the friends I've met haven't hesitated to open their communities to me and welcome me into their family spaces. I have to recognize that my American upbringing and education gave me privilege over many of my Mexican counterparts, but having been raised in the US, privilege was something hard to come by. Yes, I am a college-educated man, but I'm also a queer/femme brown immigrant raised in poverty. In Mexico, I'm not an immigrant, most everyone is brown (racism in mexico does exist, but that would be a LONGer & relevant tangent), Yes, I'm a femme queer guy, but the guy-thing wins out so long as I don't speak, and well the American college education is an ace card with employers, so even though I'm not making stacks over here, I no longer live in extreme poverty. INTERNAL CONFLICT & PRIVILEGE CHECKS IN CONSTANT MOTION! What happens when, if, I go back to the US? After seven years away, so many things have changed - altering my definition of home. Home isn't in Mexico, exactly, but the anxiety I feel about returning to Texas, makes me think that home isn't there anymore, either. The life I left wasn't put on hold, I can't just pick up where I left off, and letting go of my achievements here at 36 yo fills me with fear. And what about "home"? It's as if I uploaded home onto a cloud, and I'm waiting for something, not sure what, before I do something else (also unknown). Home is my family, wherever they may be. Home is the conversation that I have with any one of those formative friends from the places where I've lived. Home stretches from Mexico City to the tip of Florida. Home is ripped apart by a border designed not to care. Home is secondary to the "defense of the homeland". Home is simple and complex. And looking past the idea of home, do I go back to deal with the daily fuckery that is life in the US? I don't know. I wish there was a resolution to this, but I'm still working through it legally, financially, emotionally, psychologically and the pharmaceuticals/therapy haven't had enough time to kick in yet.

[@DamnDemi]

Abuelita Gladys is adorable. This made me miss my grandmother so much...

[@its_naomia.2978]

Thank you Curly for making such an amazing and beautiful video on a topic that is hard for people to talk about. Thank you.

[@joannelimage4873]

BIEN HECHO CURLY...MORE GRANDMA INTERVIEWS. I MISS STORIES FROM THE ELDERS IN OUR LIVES. SO AUTHENTIC AND INFORMATIVE😍😍😍😍🤗😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇. GRACIAS.

[@Yocelynreymundo]

#savetps

[@stephaniesosa6388]

OMG!!! My dad is from Santa Tecla too! My dad immigrated to Los Angeles in the 80s due to the civil war, he left because he was at risk of being recruited by the military or guerrilla. My dad told me amazing stories of his childhood in El Salvador going to Los Chorros and how much he loved it but the civil war was to prevalent he mentioned having to sleep on the floor and under their beds, and bus driver having to turn around to take passengers to safety, because they had spotting a burning tire, a sign that the guerrilla were close by. I got to visit El Salvador in 2001, Santa Tecla we stoped by Pollo Campero (life changing) first then to my dads childhood home, I'll never forget that trip. Every morning I woke to the sounds of the jungle and strange birds and the vendedores advetristing their foods or services like shoe cleaners. What I remember the most was my dads face during our visit, my dad has always been easy going, funny, and happy but I had never seen him as happy as he was when his "american" family and Salvadoren family were together in his home country. BTW I'm an extremely proud Salvadorean, Guatemalan, and Puerto Rican Mix (last two are from my mommas side). Lots of love to all who have immigrated for a better life!

[@Brock123253]

My mom was adopted from Costa Rica when she was 4 to my grandparents who were from the U.S. she became a citizen in 1985 and she has not been back to Costa Rica since she was adopted over 30 years ago. Whenever we talk about it she says she would love to go back but she doesn’t have the money.

[@rafaelarodo]

Okay this is a great story but curly looks so skinny

[@biancamanriquez7866]

Rafaela Rodo I was JUST about to comment that! Lol

[@isseume]

As a fellow centralamerican, this made me cry. Thankfully, my family hasn't been through this but I can only imagine how hard of a decision and process it must be. Major respect for those who have the courage to leave it all behind in search of a better life.

[@yanethorellana]

Me hizo llorar tu abuelito se parece tanto a la mia. Ya esta con Dios. Extraño tanto El Salvador. Gracias por este video

[@paolanunez5376]

So inspiring i love listening to storys like this 💗💗💗💗

[@spgangels1314]

My grandpa was one of the soldiers fighting in that war and he is still alive I'm so proud of him 🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻😁

[@frenchfyr3716]

This is beautiful Curly!!!!!!

[@giselacastillo9067]

This is so inspiring since both my parents come from El Salvador

[@SulmaGonzalez]

PROUD SALVADORIAN RIGHT HERE. ILY SO MUCH CURLY AND I AM SO PROD TO DE APART OF EL SALVADOR WITH YOU AND YOUR ABUELITA

[@BlueAngel2397]

Who's cutting onions??!! 😭😭 God bless your abuelita curly!

[@totesmagoats82]

I love curly’s grandma she’s just the cutest!

[@jacxbsen]

It's videos like these that I praise Buzzfeed for. Admittedly, my story is not as harrowing as this, my family fled from our home country for safety concerns when I was 11 and had to move again just after I turned 16. It's true. You never forget your country. It's hard to stop remembering, sometimes.

[@michelleo1606]

My family was in El Salvador during the Civil war. My mother always tells me the story of when she was a little girl and they shot a priest in the service they were attending at the Catholic Church and people ran so fast they left their shoes behind. My grandfather grabbed my mom and my uncle and they ran to the hills for a while. My grandmother had gotten separated from them and hid in a store. My grandmother did everything in her power to get them here to America and they came with residency. The sad part was that they had no winter clothes or money and they came to Boston. My grandmother struggled so much but now she is a homeowner and her bills are always paid on time. She’s my inspiration to continue striving for more. My heart breaks for the Salvadorans with TPS because El Salvador is not as safe to go back to right now and many Salvadorans have been here for decades now. I’m praying for my Salvadorans with TPS right now. Keep your head up! 💙🇳🇮

[@Isaiah53AKJV]

Ask your ancestors about their journey. This is a great video. I asked my grandpa and told my mom what he said. They suffered is an understatement. We were both crying. My life is so different from what it could have been. My parents are legal now. God is good. God bless (1 Corinthians 15 KJV).

[@malikswife21]

I inmigrated from Venezuela because of the crisis in July 2017 and I’m living in El Salvador. It’s a very beautiful country❤️

[@pamelasalinas5477]

gladys, you are so beautiful and brave

[@krolo974]

Salvador es un país lindo . Estuve en los chorros y es muy precioso! La libertad también y la playa del tunco!!! Muchas bendiciones para tu abuela Curly!

[@eliyk1]

This video is so beautiful 😭❤️

[@maritries7848]

Dios bendiga a tu abuelita. Que senora tan bella. Ademas que mas carinosa y linda, no puede ser! Que tengas anos y anos con ella Curly.

[@alvarovaldovinos6836]

OMG....you can see curly loves his grandma. Mexicans are known for always helping all thosectruong to reach the US....my godparents are from Guatemala and they told us stories of how people helped them with a night to stay and food upon arrival and departure. Latinos United is a beautiful and powerful thing.

[@jdcalde90]

I love Curly speaking Spanish, very genuine.

[@inesbonhomme9723]

Gladys made a really big sacrifice and all of this for the best of her family , my prayers are for everyone going on this dangerous trip.

[@jackiesandoval2547]

Yo pienso que todos nosotros los inmigrantes tenemos una historia que contar. Como me gustaría tener el tiempo para escuchar 👂 mas historias como esta. A la abuelita 👵🏻 de curly con todo respeto que valiente usted y su hermana. Mi respeto para ustedes. Mujeres con mucha agalla.

[@gloriarios2926]

Thank you Curly. Very eye opening. Someday people will understand the struggle. Curly you're getting so skinny.

[@mikaylam2213]

Gladys is a gem!

[@alkalineburrito]

oooohhhhhh i tried hard not to cry lmao

[@mariecoheng]

it's heartbreaking to migrate. I'm currently in the process of migrating since I'm from Venezuela. it's not about leaving you know it's what you leave behind without knowing if you're going to see all your family again

[@dannyb213]

My single mom emigrated hete when I was 1yo. She left me with my grandmother. Then I came to the US as a resident at 15yo now I am citizen thank to her.

[@estefaniaobando4936]

She's great especially the last comment

[@vixonus4982]

ANDALE ABUELITA

[@sword_lily]

My grandmother's name was Gladys as well! I was named after her!! :))

[@iKerewin]

I love your gran! Bring her back

[@defgrldee888]

I’m Mexican - but super proud, and got so much love for my Salvadoran peoples ❤️ 🇸🇻 so much so that I married one 😍

[@lilbabymejia]

Both of my parents immigrated from El Salvador because of the civil war. Both were 17years old. I'm very proud of them. They worked very hard to be where we are now. Because of them, we now own 5 family restaurants and live in a beautiful house. P.s. Thumbs up if you guys know La Tia Maria. She was my grandmas neighbor in El Salvador

[@michellevazquez82]

This was such a beautiful story.

[@Tyuy78]

🇸🇻I’m a. Proud El Salvadoran 🇸🇻💙💙

[@123clashing]

It's so hard to see what's going on with our people from el salvador right now, here in the United States. So many families and friends are being affected because of the decision that was made yesterday. #TPS

[@yoitzkat1814]

My dad fought in the Salvadoran cival war at a young age . Then he left and came to L.A now I am first generation Salvadoran American and Salvadoran Honduran.

[@gloriafigueroa4976]

"los del culo pues" I cant lol. Thank you so much for sharing this, as the TPS issue rises it's important to continue sharing stories and information! Proud Salvadoreña here-xoxo

[@angeliceorozco9158]

There was a civil war in Nicaragua that lead my grandparents to leave with my mom and her sibling to Los Angeles too. Fortunately everyone has their citizenship.

[@razashirazi7822]

My grandparents mum and uncles immigrated here (UK) from Pakistan when my mum was six and she did not knowing a word of English (they came for a better life) then when my mum married my dad she moved back to Pakistan to live there but when my mum got pregnant with my sister they came to England "temporarily" as my mum found the pregnancy hard in the heat spice and food poisoning. After my sister was born my dad was going to fly back to carry on working as my mum stayed in England for a month to recover and get my sister vaccines but as my mum and uncle were dropping my dad off at the airport they persuaded him to change his mind and stay in England as some dangers had risen making my dad a target and they did and have been living in England since.

[@chiarap7826]

Gladys was so brave and beautiful!

[@griseldaavila6576]

Proud salvadorean!!!!! 🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻

[@kiannaberrios3539]

My abuelita and abuelito left during the war because my abuelito was in one of the groups rebelling against the government and was wanted dead. They took my Tio and Tia and fled to Mexico where they lived for 2 years. My dad was born in Mexico City. While there they tried applying for visas in the USA but were denied so they then tried Canada and were accepted. They lived in Alberta with my abuelitos brother and they endured endless racism. My dads two younger brothers were born there before moving to BC. After moving around BC they finally settled in Surrey.

[@zamboniguy2307]

Thank you for this.

[@Chelsea-dq9og]

My dad had to swim across el rio grande , twice because they caught him the first time. But I am so grateful , because if it wasn't for the hardships of my parents , I wouldn't have all the opportunities I have in the states.

[@carlosarango1350]

love ypure channel this story was beautiful

[@lucygarcia6412]

I love your grandmother curly she's so sweet

[@David-cq9ym]

I love grandparents stories

[@karenhuezo8023]

Curly, your grandma is from the same town I am from in El Salvador.

[@qtmomos]

my family also fled to the US bc of the civil war tambien and ive been to el salvador so i have some understanding why and how hard it was for my family

[@cokopy]

She’s so pure-

[@mschell350]

My aunts husband is from el salvador. Hes the sweetest man ever his name is Angel

[@teddybear1807]

My great grandmother came from Monterey, Mexico with my grandpa and a few of his sister and brothers. Our name is Bear. But it was originally pronounced the way it's spelled in Spanish, but as time went on we stuck to the way it's spelled as bear the animal. I would love to meet my family in Mexico but have no way to connect with them. It's sad knowing you have fam you can't connect to

[@Punkndisorder89]

That was so beautiful. You guys seem close. Xx

[@helendominguez8349]

My grandma was born in Dominican Republic and is the oldest to a family of 9 kids. She lived in complete poverty. All she wanted to do was go to school, but when she was 11 she finally started going to school. Her parents would work hard for their kids' education but it was hard to even bring food to the table. My grandmother couldn't even afford shoes at the time. When she was 16 she dropped out to help her parents. She started making arts and crafts and sold them. She one day got married and she had more money to support her family. She kept making arts and crafts and made money from it, all her 4 kids, including my mom, were able to get a good education but still didn't have much. When she married my dad, I was born. My dad decided to go to New York once he got enough money. When he moved there, me and my mom couldn't go because she still didn't have citizenship, he would send us money every week to buy food and pay the house bills until we eventually got to move to the Bronx. My uncle moved to New York as well, he and my mom went to college and learned English. My uncle became a pilot and created a transportation company in Dominican Republic. He still owns it to this day and somehow manahed to buy a private airplane. I can't believe they made it this far. My grandma now makes a lot of money with her unique arts and crafts. My great grandmother right now is in New York as well. Sorry if this comment is too long, I just wanted to share this story :)