By Christina Arlotta
Part 2 of Stories of Belonging series.
Cecilia Martinez was 16 when she left her home in El Salvador to help build a better future for her mother and four siblings. As the oldest sibling, Martinez shouldered the responsibility of supporting her family, and receiving Temporary Protected Status provided the legal foundation she needed to begin building a new life in the United States.
“I had no opportunities in my country to go to school or have a job,” Martinez said. “A lot of people used to say there were lots of opportunities in the States to work, go to school and do different things. So, that’s what I did. I came to the United States to help my family.”
TPS is a humanitarian program that grants individuals from countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary crises the right to live and work legally in the U.S. for designated periods. TPS protects recipients from deportation, with status usually extended every six to 18 months. For Martinez, TPS provided opportunities that would have been unattainable in El Salvador.
“I came to the United States looking for a better future, and then came the TPS, and it changed my life completely,” Martinez said in a video. “I was able to get my first driver’s license. I was able to find a better job, and I was able to help my family in El Salvador.”
The protections provided by TPS created a lasting impact that extended beyond Martinez alone. With the legal ability to work and establish a stable life in the U.S., she not only pursued her own goals but also became a steady source of support for her siblings. Her efforts enabled them to complete their education and launch careers in engineering, nursing and bookkeeping.
“It was hard for me because I was leaving my mother behind, but deep in my heart, I knew it was the right thing to do,” Martinez said. “That’s how my brothers and sisters finished school. I was able to help them. I built a home for them. I was able to raise my family from here. The United States became my home.”
Martinez has lived in the U.S. for nearly 30 years and currently runs her own cleaning company. She is married and has two children, both of whom now attend college.
While TPS gave Martinez and her family the chance to build a life in the U.S., it also came with difficult trade-offs. One of the most painful moments for Martinez was missing her daughter Gracie’s quinceañera (15th birthday)—a celebration Gracie wanted to have in El Salvador, surrounded by her entire family. Martinez supported her wish, despite knowing she couldn’t attend because she was adjusting her legal status. Watching the celebration through videos at home, Martinez felt pride and sorrow.
“For me, it was a joyful moment, but also at the same moment I knew that many mothers who cannot see their children because they cannot bring their children to the United States,” Martinez said in a video. “They can’t go to their country, and they can only see those moments through videos, and that made me reflect. I said, my God, I am going to take this in so that I can continue fighting for those mothers.”
Martinez has long advocated for TPS holders. In 2017, she was among the first to volunteer with the TPS National Alliance. Martinez remains deeply committed to uplifting immigrant communities, dedicating her time to ensuring TPS recipients are recognized and represented. Most recently, her contributions were highlighted in the “Stories of Belonging” exhibit, where her story was featured during a reception honoring her leadership and dedication.
Twenty-four years later, Martinez secured permanent status, but the milestone was soon followed by a personal loss. Throughout the years, she maintained close contact with her mother despite the distance and limitations. After finally obtaining her green card, she was only able to visit her mother twice before her death in February. Martinez finds solace in having seen her mother one last time and remains committed to advocating on behalf of families still divided by immigration policy.
“For me, she was everything, so it was hard,” Martinez said. “I waited 24 years so I could have my green card, and after I had my green card, I only went like two times, and then my mom passed away. But she’s resting in peace and I was able to go see her, so that’s the good part.”
Martinez’s journey to permanent status reflects a broader reality: Many immigrants continue to face uncertainty amid escalating anti-immigration rhetoric from the Trump administration. Despite these challenges, Martinez and others in the community share a common hope: a chance to live and work without fear.
“This is really hard. Our community is scared to go out,” Martinez said. “We’re just here to work. Just give us a little chance, that’s all I ask for.”
