Emma Sanchez
Portrait by: Leopoldo Peña
4a. The wall separates families, but never feelings
“How is it possible to believe that laws that separate a mother from small children, from babies, are OK? … In June of 2015, we got married as a symbolic gesture at the wall dividing the US from Mexico in Playas de Tijuana. It was to show that the wall separates families but never feelings. Love has no borders, nor race, color or religion. And I believe that we were a perfect way to demonstrate this: my husband being American and me Mexican, and despite this family separation, and in spite of so many years, we are still united.”
4b. Separated by inflexible laws reunited by unshakeable love
“I tried to turn my pain into strength, to turn my family separation into family teamwork. I tried to keep my husband eager to keep crossing the border every day. The day I got my papers advising me that I could cross, I didn’t wait – the next morning I came. My husband and sons came for me; I left everything behind in Tijuana. I left the house as it was, I didn’t clean up or turn in my keys, or anything.”
4b. Separated by inflexible laws reunited by unshakeable love