As a boy in El Salvador, Abrego García feared gangs, avoided recruitment

Kilmar Abrego's harrowing journey from El Salvador's gang-infested neighborhoods to safety in the U.S. vividly illustrates resilience and hope amidst immense adversity. From being recruited by a local gang at just 16 to successfully escaping via immigration authorities with his older brother, Kilmar now runs a pupusa shop while working on legal documentation for his family. His wife notes that his memories of the dangerous life in El Salvador continue to impact him today. The systemic challenges El Salvador faces, including high gang incarceration rates without access to legal aid, underscore the broader struggles faced by those escaping such perilous circumstances.