Between 2000 and 2007, around two million Latin American immigrants entered Spain, almost half of the total number of foreigners arriving during that period. This marked a significant increase in immigration to Spain, with the demand for unskilled labor in construction and tourism, as well as the outsourcing of domestic work and care, being key factors. Many women from countries like Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador came to Spain to work as domestic helpers, leaving their children behind in their home countries. Castany Huamán, for example, arrived in Madrid in 2002, leaving her 4-year-old son in Lima.
Castany found work as a live-in domestic helper for a wealthy family in La Moraleja, a wealthy neighborhood in Madrid. She was fortunate to have employers who supported her and eventually helped her bring her son to Spain when she obtained citizenship and he was 11 years old. The relationship between Castany and her son was strained during his adolescence, as she worked long hours as a waitress and he felt disconnected from her. Despite these challenges, he is now studying automotive engineering and their relationship has improved in recent years.
The influx of Latin American immigrants to Spain had a significant impact on family dynamics, as many women who worked as domestic helpers had to leave their own children behind. This led to disruptions in immigrant families, with some Colombian families now bringing their grandmothers to Spain to take care of their homes. The children of these immigrants, raised with a blend of Spanish and Latin American customs, often struggle to define their own identity, torn between their heritage and their birthplace.
In Madrid, young people like Thalía Ramón, who was born in Spain to Ecuadorian parents, grapple with questions of identity. Despite being born in Spain, she still feels a strong connection to her Ecuadorian roots and often socializes with the Latino community. She is studying Administration and Finance while working at her mother’s bar, and is grateful for the opportunities she has in Spain. Her mother, Elizabeth Ochoa, arrived in Spain in 1999 and witnessed the rapid growth of the immigrant population, with many families like hers establishing roots in the country.
In another part of Madrid, the Osorio family, originally from Colombia, has built a successful life in Spain. Luisa and David Osorio work as managers in the restaurant industry, where they oversee predominantly Latin American staff. Their mother, Luz Helena, worked as a domestic helper and then as a security guard to support her children. Despite facing challenges, the family has thrived in Spain, with the younger generation now fully integrated into Spanish society while maintaining their Colombian heritage. The children of immigrants face unique challenges as they navigate their dual identities and strive for success in their adoptive country.
