In 1979, Heber Hernandez’ sister disappeared. She has never been found. The body of Heber’s brother, a union organizer, was found in a pile of corpses. The press traced the killings to the police.
In 1981, Heber became active in student government. That year, the death squads killed 238 students. Heber left school out of sheer terror, but returned two years later.
Heber’s classroom was invaded by men wearing masks, carrying weapons identical to those of the National Police. Eight students were taken away. Their bodies were found in El Playon – a field well known as the dumping ground for the death squads.
When men came to Heber’s house asking for him, his father saw the weapons under their coats. He told them nothing. Before the men could return, Heber left El Salvador.
On August 29, 1985, Heber became one of only three percent of Salvadoran refugees able to convince a U.S. court his life was in danger. He was granted political asylum. He told a reporter, “I will feel better when the other 97 percent get their asylum.”

Heber’s Dream
In my dream, I am in El Salvador and see my friend Felipe walking along. But Felipe had been assassinated. I become very frightened because I know he is dead. I am so afraid I stay very far from him.
This dream continued night after night. For two years I was terrified to go to sleep. Then I realized these dreams are a part of my experiences, my thoughts, my memories. It is impossible to leave your dreams. So I decided to confront them and live with them.
So in my dream I went up to Felipe and said, “Hello, Felipe.” We began to talk, and I asked him, “How are you?” And he said, “Very good.” “But, Felipe,” I said, “you are dead.” And he told me, “No, that’s a lie.” So I said, “Well, then where in Joaquin, our friend who was killed?” And Felipe says, “He’s fine, too. Don’t believe what they tell you. We are alive.”