Juan Merchan, born in Bogota, Colombia, is a first-generation immigrant, reported The New York Times.
He moved to the United States with his parents when he was 6. People who knew the judge’s background said he grew up poor in Jackson Heights, Queens.
Juan Merchan’s father served as a military officer in Colombia. His dad also worked in Colombia’s intelligence service. After moving to New York, the judge’s dad worked as a dishwasher at the old Americana Hotel in Manhattan.
Similarly, Juan Merchan’s mother did different jobs in New York, including working in toy and zipper factories and packaging food for airline meals
