Broken lives of immigrants deported from US to Mexico

Video:

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26533046

20 March 2014 Last updated at 00:57 GMT

Almost two million undocumented immigrants have been deported from the US since Barack Obama entered the White House, more than under any previous president.

Under pressure from Hispanic politicians, Mr Obama last week announced a review of his administration's deportation policy, promising to enforce immigration laws "more humanely".

Many of those sent back to Mexico have to walk through a door in the fence separating California and the Mexican town of Tijuana. Some were caught trying to enter the US illegally, others had lived in the US - without papers - for years.

Officially they are being sent "home", but often deportation means being separated from families still in the US and starting a new life from scratch.

The BBC's Valeria Perasso reports from both sides of the border on what happens to deportees once they pass through this door.

Produced by the BBC's Franz Strasser

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20 March 2014 Last updated at 00:57 GMT

Almost two million undocumented immigrants have been deported from the US since Barack Obama entered the White House, more than under any previous president.

Under pressure from Hispanic politicians, Mr Obama last week announced a review of his administration's deportation policy, promising to enforce immigration laws "more humanely".
Many of those sent back to Mexico have to walk through a door in the fence separating California and the Mexican town of Tijuana. Some were caught trying to enter the US illegally, others had lived in the US - without papers - for years.
Officially they are being sent "home", but often deportation means being separated from families still in the US and starting a new life from scratch.
The BBC's Valeria Perasso reports from both sides of the border on what happens to deportees once they pass through this door.
Produced by the BBC's Franz Strasser

Whether it's freedom from surveillance or freedom to be single, the BBC is investigating what freedom means in the modern world.
We want to know what freedom looks like to you. Please send us your own images, videos, animations or art work. Find out how to get involved here.
Freedom 2014
Freedom World Service

Most watched

video 0:54

First aerials of new plane search area

20 March 2014

video 1:50

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51 minutes ago

video 3:11

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3 hours ago

NOW PLAYING

Broken lives of deported immigrants

20 March 2014

video 2:03

On the trail of missing Malaysia plane

3 hours ago

video 0:56

Ten seconds to buy $10 bag of heroin

3 hours ago

World

UK

Business

Politics

Health

Science & Environment

Technology

Entertainment

Broken lives of immigrants deported from US to Mexico

20 March 2014 Last updated at 00:57 GMT

Almost two million undocumented immigrants have been deported from the US since Barack Obama entered the White House, more than under any previous president.

Under pressure from Hispanic politicians, Mr Obama last week announced a review of his administration's deportation policy, promising to enforce immigration laws "more humanely".
Many of those sent back to Mexico have to walk through a door in the fence separating California and the Mexican town of Tijuana. Some were caught trying to enter the US illegally, others had lived in the US - without papers - for years.
Officially they are being sent "home", but often deportation means being separated from families still in the US and starting a new life from scratch.
The BBC's Valeria Perasso reports from both sides of the border on what happens to deportees once they pass through this door.
Produced by the BBC's Franz Strasser

Whether it's freedom from surveillance or freedom to be single, the BBC is investigating what freedom means in the modern world.
We want to know what freedom looks like to you. Please send us your own images, videos, animations or art work. Find out how to get involved here.
Freedom 2014
Freedom World Service

Most watched

video 0:54

First aerials of new plane search area

20 March 2014

video 1:50

What do Americans think of Obamacare?

51 minutes ago

video 3:11

Heroin addict's descent into hell

3 hours ago

NOW PLAYING

Broken lives of deported immigrants

20 March 2014

video 2:03

On the trail of missing Malaysia plane

3 hours ago

video 0:56

Ten seconds to buy $10 bag of heroin

3 hours ago

World

UK

Business

Politics

Health

Science & Environment

Technology

Entertainment

Broken lives of immigrants deported from US to Mexico

20 March 2014 Last updated at 00:57 GMT

Almost two million undocumented immigrants have been deported from the US since Barack Obama entered the White House, more than under any previous president.

Under pressure from Hispanic politicians, Mr Obama last week announced a review of his administration's deportation policy, promising to enforce immigration laws "more humanely".
Many of those sent back to Mexico have to walk through a door in the fence separating California and the Mexican town of Tijuana. Some were caught trying to enter the US illegally, others had lived in the US - without papers - for years.
Officially they are being sent "home", but often deportation means being separated from families still in the US and starting a new life from scratch.
The BBC's Valeria Perasso reports from both sides of the border on what happens to deportees once they pass through this door.
Produced by the BBC's Franz Strasser

Whether it's freedom from surveillance or freedom to be single, the BBC is investigating what freedom means in the modern world.
We want to know what freedom looks like to you. Please send us your own images, videos, animations or art work. Find out how to get involved here.
Freedom 2014
Freedom World Service