Divided By Law

The de la Rosa siblings have beaten the odds. Bill has a long, impressive resumé, and Naomi is excelling in high school. Jim has taken classes to be a better caretaker for their father and is enrolled at Pima Community College. Bobby is doing better in school and wants to be a veterinarian because he loves animals. And they all picture a life where they are once again all living together again as a family. Photo by Mike Christy/Arizona Daily Star.

The nation’s unauthorized population has swelled to about 11 million, many of whom put down roots here and started families. They are parents to about 4.5 million U.S. citizen children.

In the midst of the legal battle regarding undocumented parents of U.S. citizens, and with birthright citizenship in the spotlight, there is a growing number of American children stuck in the middle. No matter what side of the immigration debate one takes, these are American citizens… the next generation of police officers, school teachers, doctors and army soldiers.

This story offers a glimpse into the challenges they face.