The Far Away Brothers: Two Young Migrants and the Making of an American Life

About 3% of El Salvador’s GDP is paid to gangs from individuals and businesses as renta—extortion rents. Rent is paid in frequent small increments “for protection from the very people who collect it” (136). Salvadoran law allows police to arrest anyone who looks suspicious, frequently youth congregating in stylish dress. Markham explains of this Iron Fist campaign, “In the flailing war on gangs, guilt is often presumed” (136). Gang membership continues increasing. A 2013 study found over 7% of the Salvadoran population has direct gang ties. In 2015, Salvadoran prisons reached 310% of intended capacity.

The twins turn 18 in two months, so they must proceed quickly with their application. Wilber signs the guardianship paperwork and they execute a complicated plan to email their parents paperwork to Maricela in El Salvador where she will travel by bus to a neighboring town to fax signed copies to them in California. Conditions in La Colonia are deteriorating and Maricela is robbed on her way home, but she completes the task.

Ernesto continues suffering psychologically, which leads to disciplinary issues at school. They befriend other unaccompanied minors and “when he was around other people, [Ernesto’s] attacks stayed at bay” (145).