Immigration
Sylvia was quite young when she emigrated to the US and most of the reasons why her family left Peru are unknown, however, economic and job instability were the biggest contributors to her family's relocation.
Political Instability in Peru and the Economy
In 1962, no political candidate received the required 1/3 which was necessary for re-election. The plan was for Peru's congress to decide the next president. However, before a decision was made, military forces (junta) seized the government. In 1963 a new election was held by the junta, and Belaúnde, a candidate from the Popular Action party was elected.
Belaúnde remained in power until 1968. While in power he instituted community development projects, and irrigation plans, and designed a new road network. He also promoted indigenous colonization east of the Andes. Belaúnde heavily promoted education by attempting to eradicate illiteracy and by establishing new universities.
On October 3, 1968, the Peruvian military forced Belaúnde to resign. Leader of the junta was Juan Velasco Alvarado. This marked the start of a 12-year military dictatorship in Peru. During this period the economy was starting to fall apart. The start of economic failure made it harder to find jobs.
For Sylvia's family, her father left for America first. 10 months before everyone else arrived.
Sylvia's father and an electrical engineer left for America to establish himself and find a job, before bringing everyone else over. After getting a job at Bechtel (an engineering company), he moved to Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Sylvia's maternal aunt had recently moved to San Diego.
The original plan was for Sylvia, her brother, and her mother to join their father wherever he settled, however, at the time, Sylvia's parents were getting separated. This disrupted the plan, and Sylvia's mother decided to move to San Diego to be closer to her sister. This resulted in Sylvia and her brother living in San Diego and visiting their father in L.A.
Sylvia arrived on a plane from Lima to California. Once she arrived, she tried American cuisine at the IHOP pancake house.
After many years of travel and education, Sylvia moved to the East Coast for her job.
This map depicts Lima, San Diego, and Boston and highlights the journey from Lima to Sandiego.