On May 26th, 2017, Maria Juarez, a young Southwest Detroit woman, was deported to Mexico, leaving her leukemia-stricken husband and 18-month-old son behind. Maria was an undocumented immigrant who came into the country at just eight months old. But the past and new immigration policies finally caught up to her. Detroit Public TV and its Detroit Journalism Cooperative partner Bridge Magazine followed Maria’s story as it unfolded with #21DaystoExileRead more here >

4 months after Maria was deported, Detroit Journalism Cooperative members Chastity Pratt Dawsey (Bridge Magazine) and Bill Kubota (Detroit Public TV’s One Detroit) headed to Guanajuato, Mexico, to catch up with Maria and uncover the stories of other deportees. Read more about their experience here >

More from Maria

Maria’s Journey

Chastity Pratt Dawsey (Bridge Magazine) visits Maria in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Maria’s Living Conditions

Maria describes the flooding problems in her home in Mexico.

Maria’s Return

Maria describes her hope for returning home to Detroit.

Self-Deported

Dream in Mexico

Chastity visits Daniel Arenas, co-founder of the organization Dream in Mexico, which helps those recently deported.

One Dreamer in Mexico City

Jose Manuel Torres Sanchez returned to Mexico from the United States to pursue his new dream.

David Cruz is going to Oxford

David Cruz was educated in the US, but returned to Mexico because he couldn’t find work.

Jose Flores

Behind the Warehouse

Former Detroiter Jose Flores helps his father run a warehouse in Guanajuato after being deported.

Jose Got a DUI

Jose Flores describes his DUI and what it was like going through the deportation process.

Jose’s Dad and His Family Apart

Jose’s father describes what it’s like being separated from the rest of his family living in Detroit.