Cesar Henao

Cesar Augusto Henao Cañas (born September 10, 1977) is an Independent Candidate for the United States House of Representatives for Florida's 21st District.

Henao announced a run for U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 against incumbent Democrat Ted Deutch.

Early life, and journey to the United States

Born in Pereira, Colombia, Henao was raised by his single mother Alba Lucia Cañas. He attended Palm Beach State College and Florida Atlantic University, before graduating from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a Political Science degree.

In 1990, Cesar began a two month journey to the United States. Cesar arrived in Guatemala City, Guatemala in May 1990, days later he traveled to the Mexico-Guatemala border city of Ciudad Tecún Umán, where he crossed Rio Suchiate into Mexico. Henao spent one month traveling from Ciudad Hidalgo to Agua Prieta, the border city between Mexico and the United States.

In June 1990, Henao crossed into the United States into Douglas, Arizona. Two hours after arriving into the United States, Cesar was placed in the back a Ford pick up truck, with 9 other individuals. They were covered by bales of hay and took an 8-hour journey to Phoenix, Arizona.

While in Phoenix, Cesar was locked in a room with 40 other immigrants waiting for instructions to final U.S. Destinations. Two weeks after Cesar arrived in Phoenix, he was able to fly into La Guardia Airport, New York, to finally reunite with his mother.

In December 1990, Henao and his mother moved to West Palm Beach, Florida where he has remained for over 20 years.