Border fence, Agua PrietaThe border fence between Agua Prieta, Mexico and Douglas, Arizona. Crosses on the fence signify people who have died attempting to enter the United States.
Installing barbed wireArmando Bermudez installs barbed wire at Casa Pepito. Children are often returned to Mexico and left at the orphanage after being picked up by the Border Patrol trying to enter the United States with their parents. The wire is used to keep them at the orphanage for their own safety.
Children playingFrom left, Eulogio Felix, 9, Sergio Valesquez, 6, “Tia” Lourdes Martinez, and Jennifer Hernandez, 7, play in the courtyard of the orphanage. Despite their situation, the children always find ways to have fun.
Crying childRaymundo Avila, 8, cries after not being allowed to follow a group of visitors that left the orphanage. Raymundo often has to be distracted when visitors leave to keep him from becoming upset.
Jungle gymOrphan Raymundo Avila, 9, Lorena Rios, son Nathanaiel, seven months, and Evan Rios watch their son Sergio, 7, play during a visitation day. The Rios family has been separated because of parental drug use.
ArguingSettling arguments is part of the daily routine. One of the tias, or “aunts” who work at the orphanage said children placed there are “agressivo, pelenciero y ambicioso,” aggressive, contentious, and stingy. From "Orphaned at the Border," January 1, 2007 in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico.
ShoweringSergio Valesquez, 6, showers with other children before their eight o’clock bedtime. Out of modesty, the children always shower in their underwear.
Bedtime“Tia” Ana Rosales carries Hector Galvez, 2, and J. J. Hernandez, 19 months, to bed. The number of children can fluctuate, depending on the time of year.
Watching Lucha LibreFernando Figueroa, 10, Sergio Valesquez, 6, Rigo Montano, 9, and Eulogio Felix, 9, watch Lucha Libre, or Mexican-style wrestling on television.
Saying goodbyeMiriam and Jose Herrera wave goodbye to hector Galvez, 21 months, who they are in the process of adopting. The adoption process can take up to two years.
Dreams of leavingSergio Valesquez, 6, and Eulogio Felix, 9, play with a rope and football, tossing it over the wall and pulling it back over again and again. From "Orphaned at the Border," January 1, 2007 in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico.