People We Meet Food vendor Solinda Parragas American dream starts at the 16th St. BART Plaza

Solinda Parraga, a 42-year-old food vendor from Peru, has made a new life for herself at the bustling 16th Street BART Plaza in San Francisco. After experiencing 15 years of abuse from her husband, she left her native Huancaya on December 21, 2023, seeking safety and a fresh start. Her journey to the U. S. was fraught with challenges, including a seven-day detention and feelings of betrayal from a friend who invited her to join her in Utah but did not support her once she arrived.

A compassionate stranger at the airport provided her with a ticket to San Francisco, guiding her to a city known for its welcoming policies for immigrants. Despite initial struggles, including sleeping outdoors, Parraga found work and a small apartment, allowing her to open her fruit stand. Her sales vary daily, but she remains committed to supporting her family back in Peru. As her asylum hearing approaches, she expresses fear about the possibility of returning to a dangerous situation. Parraga’s story sheds light on the resilience of immigrants and the complexities of navigating life in a new country.