The Central American Resource Centers – CARECEN Washington DC, CARECEN New York, CARECEN Los Angeles and CARECEN San Francisco extend our deepest condolences to the family of Joaquín Domínguez Parada on his passing this past 26 of June, 2025 in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Joaquín, a Salvadoran refugee who fled during El Salvador’s civil war, was a visionary leader and co-founder of CARECEN DC, alongside Patricia Perillies. Together, they founded the organization in 1981 to support Central American refugees arriving in Washington, DC during a time of urgent need. He also contributed to the founding of other Central American Resource Centers and was a bridgebuilder that connected the solidarity movement from the United States with Central America.
Joaquín helped shape CARECEN into a vital institution—offering legal assistance, housing support, and civic empowerment for immigrants. He championed asylum protections, fought for immigration reform, and stood firmly for justice on both sides of the border. His unwavering commitment helped lay the foundation for CARECEN’s mission that continues to this day.
“Just as in the days when CARECEN was founded, immigrants today continue to face attacks and exclusion, but Joaquín brought dignity to our community—and that spirit endures.” said Abel Núñez, Executive Director of CARECEN DC. “I am proud to carry forward Joaquín’s legacy of defending immigrants during a time of profound need,”
His legacy endures through the work of the independent CARECEN organizations in DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York—each carrying forward his deep-rooted commitment to dignity, equity, and community for more than four decades.
“We mourn the loss of Joaquin Dominguez Parada and send our deepest condolences to his loved ones, said Martha Arevalo,” CARECEN LA executive director. “In this moment, we also celebrate the vision and work of many people like him who sacrificed so much to create organizations like CARECEN to last for many generations.”
“We honor Joaquín Domínguez Parada, the visionary founder of the first CARECEN, whose legacy continues to shape immigrant advocacy across the country. In the fall of 1983, more than a dozen North and Central Americans came together in New York, united by their independent efforts to support Long Island’s rapidly growing Salvadorian and wider Central American community. Under the model Joaquín laid out, this collective became the founding staff and board of CARECEN NY, and in 1984, the Central American Refugee Center was officially incorporated. More than 40 years later,
CARECEN NY’s work—offering legal and social services and fiercely advocating for immigrant rights—remains a testament to the powerful foundation Joaquín laid.”
“Several years ago, Abel, Martha and I while on a joint visit to El Salvador, had the opportunity to meet Joaquin at his office”. Said Lariza Dugan Cuadra, Executive Director of CARECEN SF. “That day we reflected on how the mission, vision and programs he helped to establish remain as relevant today as in the decade of the 80’s when the CARECENs were founded. We are honored that Joaquin along with Gloria Cañas, Ana Carolina Castrillo, Marina Ramirez, and Ricardo Calderon also founded CARECEN SF in 1986. Un abrazo solidario y nuestros mas sentidos pesames a su familia, de todos nosotros en CARECEN SF”.
We join our voices and institutions in expressing our appreciation for his vision, our pride in his legacy, and commitment to continuing to advance the work of empowering and responding to the needs, rights and aspirations of our people and greater communities, building leadership to pursue self-determination and justice in the United States and in our countries of origin.
Unidos, en solidaridad y con mucho orgullo decimos –Joaquin Dominguez Parada Presente!!
Pictures by Rick Reinhard