Karla Silvestre
Guatemala
Karla Silvestre’s family fled Guatemala in 1981 just weeks before government agents ransacked their home looking for her father, Antonio Silvestre. Because of his work as an agronomist teaching farming practices, he had been placed on a list used by the state to abduct people engaged in perceived anti-government activities. Karla was 8 years old.
Karla Silvestre’s family fled Guatemala in 1981 just weeks before government agents ransacked their home looking for her father, Antonio Silvestre. Because of his work as an agronomist teaching farming practices, he had been placed on a list used by the state to abduct people engaged in perceived anti-government activities. Karla was 8 years old.
Karla and her family in Guatemala, late 1970s. (Photos courtesy of Karla Silvestre)
The Guatemalan Civil War and genocides terrorized the country for another 15 years. The 36-year conflict (1960-1996) killed more than 200,000 people, 40,000 of whom were disappeared. In 1986, the U.S. awarded the Silvestre family political asylum. In the 1980s, only 2% of Guatemalan petitions for asylum were granted by the U.S. government.
The Guatemalan Civil War and genocides terrorized the country for another 15 years. The 36-year conflict (1960-1996) killed more than 200,000 people, 40,000 of whom were disappeared. In 1986, the U.S. awarded the Silvestre family political asylum. In the 1980s, only 2% of Guatemalan petitions for asylum were granted by the U.S. government.
York, Pennsylvania
York, Pennsylvania
Karla Silvestre’s family was welcomed to the U.S. by Mayan indigenous North American conocidos (acquaintances) and the Catholic Church in York, Pennsylvania. Her family of five shared an apartment with another family when they first arrived. Karla remembers going through the donated clothing bags to find clothes for school and receiving free school tuition from the Catholic Church.
Karla Silvestre’s family was welcomed to the U.S. by Mayan indigenous North American conocidos (acquaintances) and the Catholic Church in York, Pennsylvania. Her family of five shared an apartment with another family when they first arrived. Karla remembers going through the donated clothing bags to find clothes for school and receiving free school tuition from the Catholic Church.
Karla’s parents, both college-educated in Guatemala, found whatever work they could after arriving in the U.S., including picking apples/cherries and performing factory work at both Danskin and a casket company.
Karla’s parents, both college-educated in Guatemala, found whatever work they could after arriving in the U.S., including picking apples/cherries and performing factory work at both Danskin and a casket company.
1 - Karla with her mother and siblings inside the head of the Statue of Liberty
2 - Under the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in Brooklyn, c. 1986 (Photos courtesy of Karla Silvestre)
Indiantown, Florida
Indiantown, Florida
The Silvestre family then moved to Indiantown, Florida. Antonio began a job as a social worker, where his Mayan language skills proved invaluable for helping the growing number of Mayan people who had fled the violence.
The Silvestre family then moved to Indiantown, Florida. Antonio began a job as a social worker, where his Mayan language skills proved invaluable for helping the growing number of Mayan people who had fled the violence.
Karla, with husband Greg, daughters Ana and Sonia, and dog Daisy at their home in Silver Spring, MD (Photos courtesy of Karla Silvestre)
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County, Maryland
Karla moved to Maryland in 2007 when her husband attained a job at the U.S. Department of State. She accepted a position with the county government, working with immigrants in Montgomery County, and became involved in the local schools. After ten years of volunteering with the school system in different capacities, she ran for office in 2018 and won the at-large seat on the Montgomery County Board of Education.
Karla moved to Maryland in 2007 when her husband attained a job at the U.S. Department of State. She accepted a position with the county government, working with immigrants in Montgomery County, and became involved in the local schools. After ten years of volunteering with the school system in different capacities, she ran for office in 2018 and won the at-large seat on the Montgomery County Board of Education.
Listen to Karla's father, Antonio Silvestre, relating his family's immigration story on Episode 5 of the podcast "Guatecuenta" (in Spanish)
