Headline: Des Moines Register, 5/7/2024
Sitting in a pew at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Waterloo where he is pastor, Hernandez rehashed his journey into exile more than 30 years ago — a move that forced him to leave behind his life and family in Nicaragua with no return date guaranteed. In March 1987, Hernandez was 19 years old and a seminary student in Matagalpa when he led his classmates in a strike against the Nicaraguan government and soon faced threats for his participation.
He said his life and the safety of his loved ones were on the line as he joined the thousands of Nicaraguans in fleeing the country to find refuge. He said he first turned to Guatemala before heading for the United States.
It's a story he says he's told many times before but one that's still tough to remember — especially as Iowa lawmakers continue to crack down on immigration policies and target a population he considers crucial to the state's economy and workforce.
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