Two Long Island brothers found themselves in a state of shock and confusion after being deported to El Salvador by federal agents, leaving their lawyer to describe the situation as unfair. The brothers, Jose Lopez, 20, and Josue Lopez, 19, were removed from the only home they had ever known, despite having committed no wrongdoing. Speaking from El Salvador via an internet link set up at their lawyer’s East Islip office, the brothers expressed their disbelief at the turn of events.
“We’re not some kind of threat to the country. We’re not criminals,” Jose Lopez stated, with his brother Josue adding, “We never did anything bad. We always followed the law.” The brothers, who resided in Central Islip, were detained by immigration agents in March during what they believed was a routine visit to Federal Plaza in Manhattan. Their lawyer, Ala Amoachi, revealed that they were subsequently moved to various facilities before being deported to El Salvador on May 7. The sudden deportation left Jose feeling like it was all over when the airplane door closed.
The Lopez brothers were just 10 and 11 years old when their mother brought them across the U.S. border in 2016. The family had applied for asylum, citing the need to escape violent gangs in El Salvador. Despite three denials of their asylum request over nine years, the brothers continued to explore other avenues to remain in the country, regularly checking in with immigration officials. Their mother, Alma Lopez, emphasized that her sons were good people who had built lives in the U.S. and deserved a chance to return. Josue was even set to graduate from a high school in Georgia later that month. As the brothers hope for a second opportunity to pursue their dreams, their lawyer is working tirelessly to reverse the deportation on humanitarian grounds, with a petition on change.org calling for their return.
Living with a family friend in El Salvador, the brothers are fearful of leaving the home and uncertain about their future plans. Jose, expressing faith and hope in a possible return to the U.S., dreams of pursuing a career as a welder or financial planner. Despite the challenges they face, the brothers remain resilient and determined to overcome the obstacles in their path. The uncertainty of their situation looms large, but they continue to hold onto the hope of a brighter tomorrow.
