Six Immigrant Families Forever Changed

BALTIMORE, MD – CASA has confirmed that Maynor Suazo Sandoval, a second CASA member, was working construction on the bridge at the time that it collapsed. Maynor migrated from Honduras over 17 years ago, and he alongside his brother were active members in the activist committee of Owings Mills.

“Our hearts break knowing that Miguel and Maynor were part of the six essential workers who were on the bridge when it came tumbling down. Families are in anguish, lamenting the loss of their loved ones. They had a dream of a better future for themselves and their families and made the brave decision to travel to this country for a brighter future.

His brother describes Maynor as having a true virtue for all things machinery. Maynor dreamt of starting his own small business in the Baltimore area. “He was always so full of joy, and brought so much humor to our family.” He was a husband, and father of two. The family was gearing up for his birthday celebration on April 27th.

Miguel Luna, from El Salvador, left at 6:30 p.m. Monday evening for work and since, has not come home. He is a husband, a father of three, and has called Maryland his home for over 19 years.

“In a time when there is so much hatred against the immigrant community, we look to the story of Maynor and Miguel who built bridges to connect communities, not building walls to divide them. Today and always we honor them and their sacrifices.”

In the Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD metro areas, there are approximately 334,300 workers in the essential Construction industry. Immigrants constitute 39 percent of the workforce in this industry (approximately 130,000 people). (Source)

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the U.S. economy will grow by an extra $7 trillion over the next ten years, thanks in part to immigration. In 2021 immigrants paid $525 billion in taxes, money that helps support our nation’s schools, Medicaid and Social Security programs. Immigrants support our communities as consumers and taxpayers. “Immigrants are essential workers who deserve dignity and respect, and to honor and appreciate them completely they must be protected with the full breadth of immigration policies that this country can offer.”

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With over 155,000 lifetime Latino, immigrant, and working-class members across 46 US states, CASA is the foremost immigrant organization in the mid-Atlantic region and a national leader in supporting immigrant families and ensuring that all individuals have the core support necessary for full participation in society. Now a national immigrant powerhouse, CASA creates change with its powerbuilding model blending human services, community organizing, and advocacy in order to serve the full spectrum of the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members. Visit us at www.wearecasa.org and follow us on Twitter at @CASAforall.