Francisco Aguirre-Velasquez facts for kids

Francisco Aguirre-Velasquez is a dedicated activist who works to protect the rights of workers and immigrants in Portland, Oregon. He was born in El Salvador. He had to leave his home country because his family faced violence from the military. For over 25 years, he has fought for the rights of working people in places like Los Angeles, California and Portland. He helped start an organization called Portland VOZ Worker's Education Project. Today, he helps lead their center in Northeast Portland.

Early Life in El Salvador

When Francisco was a child in El Salvador, many of his family members left the country to find safety as refugees. He was held by the military for about a year. During this time, they tried to make him believe he needed to harm someone. He was later able to escape. He found safety with members of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front in a place called Guazapa hill.

Standing Up for Rights

Francisco has spent his life working for justice. He believes everyone deserves fair treatment and respect. His work helps people who might not have a strong voice on their own.

Facing Challenges and Seeking Sanctuary

In 2014, a government agency called Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tried to arrest Francisco. He found safety by staying in the Augustana Lutheran Church. This church is part of the sanctuary movement, which helps people seeking protection. The United States Department of Justice later accused Francisco of re-entering the United States without permission.

After he left the church, another government agency, the Department of Homeland Security, started asking questions about his family's food stamps. This caused a lot of stress for his family. His oldest son, Denis Moises, went back to El Salvador in July 2015. Sadly, a few months later, in February 2016, Francisco learned that his son, Moises, had passed away at age 19. This event deeply affected Francisco and his family.

The #UnidosConFrancisco Movement

Many people supported Francisco during this difficult time. They held protests and gatherings. They used the hashtag and slogan #UnidosConFrancisco, which means "Unity With Francisco" in English. Their efforts made a difference. On June 17, 2016, just two months after his trial started, the charges against Francisco were dropped. However, he still faces challenges with ICE.

Seeking Political Asylum

Francisco applied for a special visa called a U-Visa, but it was not approved. Now, he is trying to get political asylum. This means he is asking the United States government for protection because he fears for his safety if he returns to El Salvador. He has to report to ICE whenever they ask him. Francisco believes his life would be in danger if he were sent back to El Salvador because of his political beliefs. He fears he could face the same fate as his son.