From the Series “La Trata” (2017) Juarez, Mexico. In this photograph, Claudia is 24 years old; she started selling her body at the brothels of Juarez, Mexico, at the age of thirteen after her mother kicked her out of her house.
Her stepfather started to rape her at the age of six, she told her mother, but the mother did not believe her. She walked in on the abuse and threw her daughter out into the streets.
From the Series “La Trata” (2017), Juarez, Mexico. Sofia was 18 years old when her photograph was taken. She explained that she was not a Juarez native and started at the brothels as a child. She reported seeing up to 25 clients in one day. Sofia became the girlfriend of a drug dealer in the neighborhood of La Paz and began selling drugs.
Her body was found on the outskirts of the city later that year.
In the Series “La Trata” (2017), Juarez, Mexico. Monica was sent to prison for murder. Strangely, the judge was not present when she arrived at the court for sentencing. As a result, she was able to avoid prison time. She attributes this fortunate turn of events to “La Santa Muerte,” to whom she pays homage with a tattoo on her back and with daily rituals.
From the series The Crossings: Ashley is a trans woman from Honduras. She left her country because her life was in danger, and she joined the Migrant Caravan, which departed in January of that year. Ashley received threats on her life and was bullied constantly for being a trans woman. Honduras has one of the highest murder rates in the world for members of the LGBTQ+ community; Ashley is currently in New York City.
From the series, The Crossings;
China is a trans woman from El Salvador and is processing her asylum claim in NYC. She currently lives in Queens where she receives housing and financial help from the government. She was forced to flee her Country of El Salvador because her life was in danger, receiving multiple attempts on her life.
From the series The Crossings; One of the members of the 18 gang (Barrio 18) is posing with a weapon inside his house in a gang-controlled neighborhood in San Pedro, Sula, Honduras. He is 25 years old, an orphan, and a father of an eight-year-old boy. He has been in prison twice and has a sixth-grade education. There is a significant number of people that are forced to migrate to another country due to gang related violence.
From the series the Crossing; In January 2020, members of the Honduran Caravan arrived at the border gates. At that time, Mexico implemented measures to close its borders to migrants at the El Ceibo port of entry, which separates Guatemala from Mexico. The accompanying image depicts an unaccompanied minor attempting to cross the border illegally beneath the gate.
From the series the Crossings.
El Paso Tx, 2023, due to a high influx of people entering the country to seek asylum in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott called the National Guard to prevent those attempting to seek asylum. The rio Grand separating the U.S.A. and Mexico.
From the series The Crossings; In the desert, where the USA connects with Mexico, the community at the border created a memorial out of wooden crosses to honor the deaths of many migrants who have died at the border.
From the series "Do You Believe”. Lady Rhea Rivera is the head mother witch at La Botanica San Marcos. She primarily works with candles she creates, which she claims possess magical powers.
From the series “Do You Believe”, Isabel is known among the locals as a witch who practices both white and black Magic, a hard skill to possess in the occult world. She often sacrifices animals in her rituals.
From the series Why We Depart. El Zonte, El Salvador. Annie helps Kitzel fix her false eyelashes. Attention to detail and perfection are critical in their make up.
From the series Why We Depart. Kitzel age 29, poses inside her room in the town of El Zonte, In El Salvador. To get a name change or a gender change in El Salvador is not possible under the presidency of Buckle.
From the series "A Second Chance,"In 2022 a group of individuals from Venezuela and Ecuador are seeking asylum after traversing the Rio Grande River. They are utilizing a self-constructed fire for warmth while situated by the border wall on the United States side of El Paso,Texas.
From the series "A Second Chance," In December 2022, El Paso declared a state of emergency in response to severe winter weather conditions that posed significant risks to public safety. Mayor Oscar Leeser issued an emergency declaration highlighting the dangerous temperatures and adverse weather. The city's shelters were overwhelmed and unable to meet the rising demand for warmth and shelter, resulting in a critical situation for vulnerable populations. Additionally, the region experienced a surge in border crossings, further complicating efforts to provide assistance and care to those in need during the harsh winter conditions. The combination of these challenges prompted urgent action to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and migrants alike.
From the series the Russian Invasion 2022; April 5, 2022, Irpin, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine. In the aftermath of the Russian war, a dedicated member of the Ukrainian civil resistance navigates the war-torn streets, carrying essential food and supplies. With unwavering determination, they move from door to door, ensuring that local residents struggling to cope with chaos receive the necessities they desperately need. The atmosphere is heavy with tension, but acts of kindness and solidarity shine through, offering a glimmer of hope to those profoundly affected by the conflict.
From the series the Russian Invasion 2022; A Ukrainian soldier traverses the ravaged landscape of Antonov Airport, located near the capital city of Kyiv. This airport served as the base for the Antonov An-225 "Mriya," which was previously recognized as the largest aircraft in the world before it was destroyed in a Russian military offensive.
From the series the Russian Invasion 2022; Soldiers on the highway to Irpin, Ukraine.
From the series, The Flight of the Monarchs 2024; San Salvador, El Salvador. In 2022, the Supreme Court of the country ruled that it is discriminatory to prevent someone from changing their name due to their gender identity, and many trans women feel their only employment opportunity where they can demand to be addressed by their preferred name is sex work.
From the series The Flight of the Monarchs 2024: Paty is a charismatic 71-year-old transgender woman who operates a quaint snack shop in her local community. Despite her age and the challenges that come with it, she has built a warm and welcoming space where neighbors and passersby can enjoy delicious treats and a friendly conversation. To sustain her business and cover the costs of her modest rent, Paty leans on supporting nonprofit organizations that assist specific individuals in need. Through her resilience and the community's help, she continues to thrive and share her love for food with those around her.