I live in an average sized community 1 hour east of San Francisco. I met my significant other here, 2 years ago and we live together. He is an immigrant of El Salvador and 1 year ago he was arrested after being pulled over for driving without a license. There the authorities found him to be an illegal immigrant. He had escaped from El Salvador on a visitors visa 6 years ago because of threats to his life and his family's lives from the extortionists there. He is a dentist by profession and when he could not come up with the money the extortionists had ordered him to pay, they first burned up his car, shot up his home and his dental business. He is now being told he will have to return and thankfully, the attorney has gotten him some extended time here by pushing court dates ahead. Eventually, he will have to go back. He wants to go back. He misses his family, friends and most of all, his profession. I, on the other hand, am a US citizen whose children have grown up and are living their own lives and have nothing to lose if I were to return with him to El Salvador. We have talked about it but I have so much fear from the stories told. I do not speak Spanish but I have listened to him speak with friends and watch certain Spanish programs on the web or television, that I have been able to somewhat understand the conversation. Although, I get lost in some conversations, he has been patient with me to tell me what certain words mean. I am fearful that I would not be able to communicate in El Salvador, therefore, unable to work. I love him so very much and he has asked me to return with him when he has to go. I'm so torn by a decision but I think if I felt like I could manage and be happy there like I am here with him, I would know exactly what I would do.
I joined expat.com on 15 May 2011.
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