Stories of people who are coming to terms with the place they now call home, the United States...

On a recent weekend in Beaverton, Oregon, we met up with Maria Garcia who is a Mexican immigrant, It was the middle of the day and an after-work rush at her small business tienda located at a shopping alcove right off of highway. She’s middle-aged, short, and bubbly. When we arrived, Maria didn’t want to be on film but was eager to share her story.

When Maria was a 15 years old, she crossed the border into the United States with the help of a coyotaje. Initially visiting out of curiosity, she found work at a trash bag factory where she worked 12 hours every night and decided to stay.

Ameya Okamoto

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