Photos of Luis Jr., Monica and Jenny hang on the wall in the Diaz household. Luis Sr. and his wife Irma fled violence in Guatemala, settling as undocumented immigrants in Beaverton. While Luis Sr. was able to receive temporary asylum, Irma and two of their children faced deportation. Jenny, the youngest child, was born in the U.S., and therefore had full citizenship.
The Diaz family holds a candlelight vigil, while looking for a miracle as Luis Sr. waits to hear if a congressional bill will allow his entire family to stay in the United States while his asylum appeal is being heard by immigration court.
Jenny Diaz cries as she’s held by her older brother Luis Jr. during a candle vigil and prayer.
Irma hugs Jenny as she finds out that her, Monica, and Luis Jr. will enjoy a very brief reprieve from deportation, during a visit to the office of their immigration lawyer.
After the deportation order is reinstated, Luis Sr. helps weigh his oldest daughter Monica’s suitcase as she gets ready to head to the airport with her brother and mother.
Luis Sr. packs up boxes with Jenny before Irma, Monica and Luis Jr. have to get to the airport to fulfill their deportation order.
Monica Diaz and the rest of the family enjoy one of their last meals together, as three of the five family members faced a deportation order to Guatemala.
At Portland International Airport, Jenny watches as her brother says goodbye to friends and family.
Luis Jr. give words of encouragement to Jenny before he’s forced to fly to Guatemala.
Jenny, Irma and Luis Sr. hold each other as their family is about to be split with a deportation order.
Jenny, along with supporters of her family, stage a downtown rally asking for Congress to help reunite families like his who are forced to live in different countries during the asylum-seeking process.
Friends and supporters of the Diaz family lead a rally in downtown Portland, asking for Congress to help reunite families like his who are forced to live in different countries during the asylum-seeking process.
Luis Sr. leads a rally in downtown Portland, asking for Congress to help reunite families like his who are forced to live in different countries during the asylum-seeking process.
Luis Sr. and Jenny lead a contingent of friends and supporters to the Oregon State Capitol asking for lawmakers help in bringing their family back together.
Immigration attorney, Tilman Hasche celebrates a beneficial ruling from the court with his clients, the Diaz family.
Finally, after seven years, Jenny waits at the airport for the return of her mother, Irma, from Guatemala.
Irma Diaz hugs Luis Jr. after seven years of living away from her family in Guatemala.
Reunited after seven years and one day, Irma (holding granddaughter Jaylynn Ramos) and Luis Sr. finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The Diaz family’s immigration attorney, Tilman Hasche, hugs Irma after her arrival at Portland International Airport from Guatemala. Hasche’s pro-bon work for the family was instrumental in their reunion.
The Diaz family relax in their home , finishing off seven years of the uncertainty in knowing whether they would ever live together again.
When asked what gave them strength, Irma pulled out a porcelain circle from the center of a cross that she has carried with her every day for more than seven years. The circle is decorated with flowers and the words: “Trust in The Lord.”