In the summer of 2018, when then-US Attorney General Jeff Sessions introduced the zero-tolerance family separation immigration policy, I had the opportunity to cover the story from multiple angles. Included in this gallery are images from Guatemala and Mexico, illustrating different angles of the policy and its effects on real people. In Guatemala, I spent time with the Pulex family. Donelda and Marelyn, mother and daughter, were separated, Donelda in a detention facility in Texas and Marelyn in a foster home in Michigan, before being deported back to Guatemala. You can read the full story here .
In Mexico, I spent time with mothers who were hesitant to cross the border with their children, fearful of being separated. Stuck between impossible choices--stay in Reynosa, one of the most dangerous border towns in Mexico, or try to cross and face potential separation. You can read that full story here.
And finally, in Reynosa, we met young men who had been held in the same facilities where separated children were held. They all had to be photographed anonymously because they are minors. You can read about their experiences in detention here .
July 12, 2018 - Marelyn Pulex, 6, is carried by her father Henrry Pulex as they enter the home of relatives in Salitre, Santa Rosa, Guatemala. Marelyn hasn't seen her father in over two months because she and her mother, Donalda Pulex Castellanos, attempted to emigrate to the United States but were apprehended on the border and forcibly separated during their time detained. The two were just deported to Guatemala two days ago, on July 10, 2018. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times
July 12, 2018 - Marelyn Pulex (left), 6, and her cousin Brithanny Castellanos, 5, observe Brithanny's pet rabbit, Chase, on the back patio of the family home in Salitre, Santa Rosa, Guatemala. Marelyn was one of the thousands of children separated from their parents on the border of the US and Mexico during the highly controversial family separations this summer. She and her mother Donalda were deported just two days earlier on July 10, 2018. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times
July 11, 2018 - The Pulex family from left: Marelyn, 6, Henrry, Emily, 10, and Donalda, 35. The family has not been together as a unit for over two months until yesterday, when Donalda and Marelyn were deported from the United States. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times
July 11, 2018 - Emily Pulex (right), 10, hugs her mother Donalda Pulex Castellanos, 35, in the home of their relatives in Salitre, Santa Rosa, Guatemala. Donalda was with her youngest daughter Marelyn, 6, (not pictured) when she crossed the US-Mexico border and was detained and separated from Marelyn for nearly two months. Emily was at home in Guatemala with her father, the family planning on reuniting in the US. Donalda and Marelyn were deported from the US yesterday, July 10, 2018, and Emily and her father greeted them at the airport when they arrived. Emily had not seen her mother and sister in over two months, and is very affectionate with both of them throughout the day. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times
July 11, 2018 - Marelyn Pulex (left), 6, leans on her cousin's bed while playing on a tablet toy in Salitre, Santa Rosa, Guatemala while her sister Emily Pulex (right), 10, and cousin Brithanny Castellanos, 5, look on. Marelyn was one of the thousands of children separated from their parents on the border of the United States and Mexico. In her case, Marelyn was separated from her mother Donalda Pulex Castellanos, 35, for nearly two months. Donalda was held in a detention center in Texas, while Marelyn was sent to a foster home in Michigan. They were deported back to Guatemala with eleven other families yesterday, July 10, 2018. Waiting for them was husband and father Henrry Pulex and daughter and sister Emily Pulex, 10. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times
July 12, 2018 - Marelyn Pulex , 6, observes her cousin Brithanny's pet rabbit, Chase, on the back patio of the family home in Salitre, Santa Rosa, Guatemala. Marelyn was one of the thousands of children separated from their parents on the border of the US and Mexico during the highly controversial family separations this summer. She and her mother Donalda were deported just two days earlier on July 10, 2018. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times
July 12, 2018 - (from left) Emily Pulex, 10, Marelyn Pulex, 6, and Brithanny Castellanos, 5, climb the fence in front of a Catholic church in Salitre, Santa Rosa Guatemala. This is Donalda (not pictured) and Marelyn's first mass since they returned to Guatemala after being deported from the United States. Marelyn and Donalda were separated while detained for nearly two months. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times
July 11, 2018 - Marelyn Pulex (center), 6, leans on her cousin's bed while playing on a tablet toy in Salitre, Santa Rosa, Guatemala while her sister Emily Pulex (right), 10, and cousin Brithanny Castellanos, 5, look on. Marelyn was one of the thousands of children separated from their parents on the border of the United States and Mexico. In her case, Marelyn was separated from her mother Donalda Pulex Castellanos, 35, for nearly two months. Donalda was held in a detention center in Texas, while Marelyn was sent to a foster home in Michigan. They were deported back to Guatemala with eleven other families yesterday, July 10, 2018. Waiting for them was husband and father Henrry Pulex and daughter and sister Emily Pulex, 10. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times
July 11, 2018 - Marelyn Pulex (left), 6, sits on her cousin Brithanny Castellanos' (right), 5, bed while playing on a tablet toy in Salitre, Santa Rosa, Guatemala. Marelyn was one of the thousands of children separated from their parents on the border of the United States and Mexico. In her case, Marelyn was separated from her mother Donalda Pulex Castellanos, 35, for nearly two months. Donalda was held in a detention center in Texas, while Marelyn was sent to a foster home in Michigan. They were deported back to Guatemala with eleven other families yesterday, July 10, 2018. Waiting for them was husband and father Henrry Pulex and daughter and sister Emily Pulex, 10. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times
July 12, 2018 - The Pulex family: Emily (right), 10, Marelyn (center), 6, Henrry, Donalda, 35, and cousin Brithanny (left), 5, leave a Catholic mass in Salitre, Santa Rosa Guatemala. This is Donalda and Marelyn's first mass since they returned to Guatemala after being deported from the United States. Marelyn and Donalda were separated while detained for nearly two months. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times
June 20, 2018 - Patricio, 16, stands for a portrait after talking about his time in detention in the United States, spent in the same youth detention centers facing serious public scrutiny right now. He said that Mexicans were separated from Central Americans, and told they couldn't apply for asylum. Now, Patricio is staying at a government-run shelter in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, before being sent back to his home and family in Estado de Mexico, Mexico. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 19, 2018 - Piedad and her family, all of Honduras. Her children are ages 3, 6, 7 and 15. The family is fleeing violence in Honduras, with two of her husband's cousins recently killed in the violence. But she plans to wait before attempting to cross out of fear of being separated from her children. "What meaning is there for a mother without her children?" she asks. The family, staying at the Reynosa shelter Senda De Vida, is part of a growing number of Mexican and Central American migrants caught between a rock and a hard place--their dangerous home countries and the danger of being separated from their children by the country they once viewed as a potential safe haven. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 19, 2018 - Piedad's three youngest children, ages 6, 3 and 7. The family is fleeing violence in Honduras, with two of her husband's cousins recently killed in the violence. But she plans to wait before attempting to cross out of fear of being separated from her children. "What meaning is there for a mother without her children?" she asks. The family, staying at the Reynosa shelter Senda De Vida, is part of a growing number of Mexican and Central American migrants caught between a rock and a hard place--their dangerous home countries and the danger of being separated from their children by the country they once viewed as a potential safe haven. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 20, 2018 - Patricio, 16, stands for a portrait after talking about his time in detention in the United States, spent in the same youth detention centers facing serious public scrutiny right now. He said that Mexicans were separated from Central Americans, and told they couldn't apply for asylum. Now, Patricio is staying at a government-run shelter in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, before being sent back to his home and family in Estado de Mexico, Mexico. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 20, 2018 - Patricio, 16, stands for a portrait after talking about his time in detention in the United States, spent in the same youth detention centers facing serious public scrutiny right now. He said that Mexicans were separated from Central Americans, and told they couldn't apply for asylum. Now, Patricio is staying at a government-run shelter in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, before being sent back to his home and family in Estado de Mexico, Mexico. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 19, 2018 - Claudia with her daughter, 6, and her son, 4. The family, from Honduras, plans to wait to cross the border because of Claudia's fear of being separated from her children. "I'm nervous," she says shaking her head. The family, staying at the Reynosa shelter Senda De Vida, is part of a growing number of Mexican and Central American migrants caught between a rock and a hard place--their dangerous home countries and the danger of being separated from their children by the country they once viewed as a potential safe haven. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 20, 2018 - German, 16, stands for a portrait after talking about his time in detention in the United States, spent in the same youth detention centers facing serious public scrutiny right now. He said he lost track of time during the eight days he was in detention. Now, German is staying at a government-run shelter in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, before being sent back to his home and family in Morelos, Mexico. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 19, 2018 - Maria and her son, 14, of Veracruz, Mexico. Maria's son has a seizure disorder that often gives hims seizures four times a day, and Maria says the medicine that he has been prescribed doesn't work. The two tried to cross in to the US earlier this year unsuccessfully, and were deported in May. She was separated from her son while in detention for four days. "We have to try to go back," she says. The family, staying at the Reynosa shelter Senda De Vida, is part of a growing number of Mexican and Central American migrants caught between a rock and a hard place--their dangerous home countries and the danger of being separated from their children by the country they once viewed as a potential safe haven. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 20, 2018 - German, 16, stands for a portrait after talking about his time in detention in the United States, spent in the same youth detention centers facing serious public scrutiny right now. He said he lost track of time during the eight days he was in detention. Now, German is staying at a government-run in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, before being sent back to his home and family in Morelos, Mexico. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 19, 2018 - Patricia and her 7 year old son, of El Salvador. Patricia is waiting to see what will happen in the US before risking crossing and being separated from her son, who is never far from her and can often be found in her lap or hanging over her shoulders. The family, staying at the Reynosa shelter Senda De Vida, is part of a growing number of Mexican and Central American migrants caught between a rock and a hard place--their dangerous home countries and the danger of being separated from their children by the country they once viewed as a potential safe haven. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 20, 2018 - Alvaro, 16, stands for a portrait after talking about his time in detention in the United States, spent in the same youth detention centers facing serious public scrutiny right now. Now, Alvaro is staying at a government-runF shelter in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, before being sent back to his home and family in Oaxaca, Mexico. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 20, 2018 - Alvaro, 16, stands for a portrait after talking about his time in detention in the United States, spent in the same youth detention centers facing serious public scrutiny right now. Now, Alvaro is staying at a government-runF shelter in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, before being sent back to his home and family in Oaxaca, Mexico. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 19, 2018 - Piedad's son, 7, runs in to their room in the shelter they are staying in in Tamaulipas in an attempt to escape the heat. The family is fleeing violence in Honduras, with two of her husband's cousins recently killed in the violence. But she plans to wait before attempting to cross out of fear of being separated from her children. "What meaning is there for a mother without her children?" she asks. The family, staying at the Reynosa shelter Senda De Vida, is part of a growing number of Mexican and Central American migrants caught between a rock and a hard place--their dangerous home countries and the danger of being separated from their children by the country they once viewed as a potential safe haven. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 19, 2018 - Claudia sits on her bunk at a shelter in Reynosa while her daughter, 6, and her son, 4, entertain themselves in the bunk above. The family, from Honduras, plans to wait to cross the border because of Claudia's fear of being separated from her children. "I'm nervous," she says shaking her head. The family, staying at the Reynosa shelter Senda De Vida, is part of a growing number of Mexican and Central American migrants caught between a rock and a hard place--their dangerous home countries and the danger of being separated from their children by the country they once viewed as a potential safe haven. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 19, 2018 - Patricia and her 7 year old son, of El Salvador. Patricia is waiting to see what will happen in the US before risking crossing and being separated from her son, who is never far from her and can often be found in her lap or hanging over her shoulders. The family, staying at the Reynosa shelter Senda De Vida, is part of a growing number of Mexican and Central American migrants caught between a rock and a hard place--their dangerous home countries and the danger of being separated from their children by the country they once viewed as a potential safe haven. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 19, 2018 - Maria (center) and her son, 14, of Veracruz, Mexico. Maria's son has a seizure disorder that often gives hims seizures four times a day, and Maria says the medicine that he has been prescribed doesn't work. The two tried to cross in to the US earlier this year unsuccessfully, and were deported in May. She was separated from her son while in detention for four days. "We have to try to go back," she says. The family, staying at the Reynosa shelter Senda De Vida, is part of a growing number of Mexican and Central American migrants caught between a rock and a hard place--their dangerous home countries and the danger of being separated from their children by the country they once viewed as a potential safe haven. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 19, 2018 - Claudia (far right) with her daughter, 6, looks out from her shared room at a shelter in Reynosa. The family, from Honduras, plans to wait to cross the border because of Claudia's fear of being separated from her children. "I'm nervous," she says shaking her head. The family, staying at the Reynosa shelter Senda De Vida, is part of a growing number of Mexican and Central American migrants caught between a rock and a hard place--their dangerous home countries and the danger of being separated from their children by the country they once viewed as a potential safe haven. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 19, 2018 - Piedad's daughter, 3, and son, 7, lay in their room in the shelter they are staying in in Tamaulipas. The family is fleeing violence in Honduras, with two of her husband's cousins recently killed in the violence. But she plans to wait before attempting to cross out of fear of being separated from her children. "What meaning is there for a mother without her children?" she asks. The family, staying at the Reynosa shelter Senda De Vida, is part of a growing number of Mexican and Central American migrants caught between a rock and a hard place--their dangerous home countries and the danger of being separated from their children by the country they once viewed as a potential safe haven. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 19, 2018 - Patricia (left) and Maria sit in their beds at the shelter and watch as children play with one another. Patricia plans on waiting a while in Reynosa while trying to figure out where to go to keep her family safe, while Maria plans on crossing in to the US with her 14 year old son. The family, staying at the Reynosa shelter Senda De Vida, is part of a growing number of Mexican and Central American migrants caught between a rock and a hard place--their dangerous home countries and the danger of being separated from their children by the country they once viewed as a potential safe haven. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 20, 2018 - Young men and boys play games at a government shelter in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. Some of the boys in the group were detained in the highly-scrutinized youth detention centers when they crossed in to the US. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 19, 2018 - A teddy bear lies across a bunk at a shelter housing families from Central America and Mexico in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. Families staying at the Reynosa shelter Senda De Vida, is part of a growing number of Mexican and Central American migrants caught between a rock and a hard place--their dangerous home countries and the danger of being separated from their children by the country they once viewed as a potential safe haven. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News
June 21, 2018 - A "tender age" shelter for children separated from their parents in Harlingen, Texas. When Buzzfeed News requested access to view the facility, the facility called the police. Meghan Dhaliwal for Buzzfeed News