Edgardo Borja is a Salvadoreño living in the United States through Temporary Protected Status. TPS is set to expire in Sept. of 2021 and Edgardo, his girlfriend and his son Marlon, like so many others, lives sit in the balance.
Marlon shows a picture of Edgardo holding him when he was a baby. Marlon is 10 years old and was born in the United States.
Marlon, watches his mother makes traditional tortillas from maseca, for a dinner party they are hosting for some friends.
Working on a complete interior remodel, Edgardo hands a piece of a broken down couch to one of his employees, Jayro Rodriguez. Jayro is also from El Salvador, but since his wife is Mexican and is a citizen of the United States, he is also a citizen.
Edgardo rarely takes a day off from work. With his girlfriend not being able to work, the responsibility lies with him to support his family. On a Sunday he loads lumber back into his van after unloading his van that was full of waters and other supplies for a big Central American festival in Aurora.
Edgardo works most every day, so when he has that rare day off, he spends it with his family. Here he shares strawberries with his son Marlon, in the shade of his work trailer.
Splashing through puddles, Marlon rides his bike in front of his families home.
Edgardo has as many as five projects going at any given time. He backs his van into the driveway of a home he is completely remodeling after having to go to clients home to take care of a minor issue.
Edgardo works on removing the linoleum floor from a kitchen in a home that he is renovating. Edgardo never uses gloves when he works. He said his father nor his grandfather never used gloves, so he never does either.
Edgardo’s friend Janet throws some pupusas on the flattop in Edgardo's backyard during Edgardo's birthday party. Of the 20 or so friends in attendance, more than half are in the United States through TPS. Edgardo worked two long days in a row so he could take his birthday off for this party.
Janet wipes icing from Edgardo's birthday cake all over his face after Edgardo blew out his candles. Edgardo was celebrating his 44th birthday and several of his friends came to his house to join in the celebration.