After more than four decades of work in the Inland Empire—weaving tapestries, working in warehouses, and as a day laborer—Armando, a day laborer in Rancho Cucamonga, officially retires and returns to his beloved El Salvador, this time on his own terms.

“Honestly, I feel good because, honestly, I've I was in the US for a long time and all my family is in El Salvador; I want to get there and be with them," Armando said. "Times here are getting very difficult and increasingly hard. At my age, they don't give us much work anymore, so I prefer to go back and finally enjoy my family.” The 73-year-old immigrant preferred not to share his last name as a precaution, since Pomona has been heavily affected by immigration raids. Armando is currently in the hospital because he fell ill this week, according to Fanelly Millan, an organizer at the Pomona Economic Opportunities Center. Millan is in charge of the “Pupusa Gram” event, which will take place in downtown Pomona on Saturday, February 14. She says Armando has been part of the center's community for years and was even a leader. Now they are trying to raise funds so that when he makes his journey back home, he will have something to take with him. This Valentine's Day, the center will hold an event selling pupusas for $10, not only to raise funds for Armando, but also so the community can donate a plate of pupusas to day laborers at the center and the nearest Home Depot. “He made the difficult decision to voluntarily self-deport. He says he has grandchildren he hasn't met yet, so he's ready to go home,” Millan said. “We want to help him and other day laborers, and what better way than with some delicious pupusas?” The center has been a great help to day laborers like Armando, not only by finding them work and helping them learn about their rights, but also by protecting them from raids and supporting them when one of them is detained or deported. Armando, who came to the United States 43 years ago, says that his life here has not been easy at all, But he is still very grateful for what he was able to accomplish. He added that he hasn't been feeling well and, for that reason, decided to retire and return to El Salvador,where his daughter and grandchildren await him. He says that the money they raise will help him with the trip and to build a room on a small plot of land he owns. Yeni from Pupusas “La Chaparrita,” a colleague at the center, will be making the pupusas on Saturday. She says that hearing Armando's story deeply affected her, since she is also from El Salvador and has long returned to her country at various times. But for her, her family and children are here in the United States, which is now her home. “I understand his feelings, his emotions, and I feel very blessed to be able to do my part so that one of my countrymen can return home with dignity,” Yeni said. “It is very meaningful for me to help someone return without having been mistreated, as we have seen happen to other immigrants.” The event will take place from 10 am to 1 pm. The community is welcome to attend, or if you prefer, you can send your donations now. Armando hopes to feel well enough to join all his colleagues at the center on Saturday and enjoy a plate of delicious pupusas. “I feel very happy and grateful because I'm not working right now, and this is going to help me a lot,” Armando said from his hospital bed. “Pupusa Gram” Event 10 am–1 pm 1682 W Mission Blvd. Pomona Zelle: Fanelly, 909-446-9068, please include memo: “Armando”

“I feel very happy, very grateful because right now I'm not working and this is going to help me a lot,” Armando said from his hospital bed.

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