The reasons for migrating to the United States are different for everyone. Often those who make the journey choose to leave everything behind in their countries of origin in search of better opportunities, but the costs to be paid are also high. For Andrés Felipe Martínez, the Colombian actor who gave birth to Malcolm Ríos in the telenovela Pasión de Gavilanes, that engine was his children. At the age of 60, he left acting on a small plane while immigrating to American lands with a clear purpose.
In an interview shared by Caracol Televisión through his YouTube channel, the artist’s followers witnessed his radical change. Andrés Felipe Martínez had started his career on the small screen. However, it was not exempt from the reality of Latin America and the economy outstripped it. Given the scenario, he decided his children deserved better opportunities. According to his own statements, a year ago he sold all his belongings and set out on the journey. “I just came here to settle down locally, I already have social security, I already have a work permit. I have hired a lawyer to apply for a special talent or ability visa.”
I agree with you United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), this visa is for individuals who excel in the fields of science, art, education, business, or athletics and have a track record of achievement in those fields. “Like I said, I have neither talent nor special skillsbut yes, 40 years of experience and that has served me well,” the actor shared.
In his statement, he assured that his economic situation had not been the best in the last two years. It was that when he arrived in the United States he tried everything to survive, even clean houses. Today he works in a shipping company, from where he conducted the interview with said medium.
Homelessness, a common feeling among migrants
When Andrés drives home in his car, he has moments of doubt that are not alien to people who experience the phenomenon of migration: “I say to myself: ‘What am I doing here?’ It’s like being on Mars, it’s like being on the moon. When I return, the lack of my children is a terrible thing and there are moments of very deep crisis. I’ll do it for you,” he said.
The acclaimed soap-opera actor has his goal so clear that he knows it’s also a motor to overcome adversity: “If I didn’t have my children, I would be in Colombia. You suffer a lot here, the conditions are very difficult, but there is a big difference. While doing a job there like the one I did last year He didn’t give me anything to eat, here he is. And not just for that, but to send money to my kids and also to save.”
sleeping on the floor
Regarding his routines, he hinted that the house he lives in is shared with other people, but the location doesn’t seem to matter to him: “I sometimes had to sleep on the floor because I preferred to be in one.” certain place to stay and not return to my home why that It cost me time and dollars“, he showed.
So one day he ended up at a train station in downtown Miami, until a “guardian angel”, as he called it, recognized him and paid for his ticket. It doesn’t matter whether he has to run home in hellish heat or a storm, one sentence is tattooed on him: “Myour children, my children‘ Martinez continued.
“When I talk to them The greatest loneliness is that they are there, in Colombia. That my son, who is in Spain, says to me: “Dad, I need you”. My heart breaks for my little boy to tell me this. It makes me feel like I lack strength“.
Although every day is a challenge, acting is almost like a gene in him and he has had the opportunity to act in theater on numerous occasions. He was also writing screenplays at the time. He hopes, he assured, that these sacrifices will be worthwhile for his family.