Salvadoran Americans

El Salvador, the smallest country in Central America, is sometimes referred to as a nation of emigrants. It is estimated that as many as 20 percent of Salvadorans reside in the United States. Salvadorans have been present in the United States since the early 20th century; however, until the 1980s, they formed a relatively small group. The numbers climbed drastically after thousands of immigrants arrived, feeing the civil war of 1980– 92. The U.S. census data reflect this substantial increase—between 1980 and 1990, the foreign-born population from El Salvador grew nearly fivefold, from 94,400 to 465,400. In 2010, over 60 percent of Salvadoran immigrants had arrived after 1990 because of chain migration and environmental disasters in El Salvador.

In 2010, the Salvadoran population formed the fourth-largest Hispanic/Latino community in the United States (3.3 percent), behind Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans. In 2000–10, it was also one of the fastest-growing groups, increasing by over 150 percent (from 655,000 to 1.6 million). Since large-scale immigration is a recent phenomenon, more than 60 percent of Salvadorans in the United States are foreign-born. However, because of the obstacles to the legalization of their status, the proportion of naturalized U.S. citizens among Salvadorans has been low (28 percent in 2010).

Although their communities are scattered all over the country, almost eight in 10 Salvadorans settled in the west and the south, mainly in California (35 percent) and Texas (13 percent). Los Angeles County is home to the largest Salvadoran community (22 percent). They also form large enclaves in the District of Columbia, where they form the largest Hispanic group, Chicago, and New York.

Immigration Since 1979

The brutal civil war in El Salvador, waged between the U.S.-supported right-wing government and the left-wing Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), took a devastating toll of 70,000 to 75,000 casualties (approximately 1.5 percent of the population), mostly civilians killed by the army or death squads. Another consequence of the war was a soaring number of displaced people and refugees. In total, more than one million people (over 20 percent of the population) fed the country, while over half a million were internally displaced.

As the Ronald Reagan administration refrained from categorizing Salvadoran immigrants as “political refugees,” but rather called them “economic immigrants” (overpopulation, poverty, and unemployment were cited as important factors), they were liable for deportation. This gave rise to the sanctuary movement, which sought to provide [Page 1858]the immigrants with shelter, transport, and legal advice. Although in the 1980s, Salvadorans constituted the largest group of asylum applicants in the United States (25 percent), only a small proportion was given asylum (2–3 percent), and the deportation rate was very high (approximately 26,300 in 1981–89). In 1989, over 136,000 eligible Salvadorans (i.e., those residing in the United States before January 1, 1982) adjusted their status under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).

Salvadoran migration to the United States brought Salvadoran cuisine to the country as well. Pupusas, thick handmade corn tortillas, are available wherever Salvadoran communities are found. Salvadoran restaurants called pupuserias have sprung up across the country, where pupasas are sold and made. This restaurant is located in Riverbend, New Orleans.

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