Marisol and the American Dream

Janet Jarman found Marisol, who later became the subject of her work in more than 15 years, quite by accident. When Janet received a master's degree in environmental science, she went to a research trip to Mexico in August 1996. Local activists have led her to the city landfill in Matamoros, located along the US-Mexican border.

Among smoke, fire and sewage Janet noticed Marisol, who was then only 8 years old. The girl and her family searched among the debris recycled, which is then handed over to the recycling points. Marisol dreamed of moving to America. "Let a woman take your picture", - said her mother. "Once you become famous."

The words proved prophetic. In fact Jarman picture, which depicts Marisol at the landfill, has won several awards and has been published in various publications and non-governmental organizations around the world. Earlier this year, Janet even discovered that the picture is used as propaganda material candidate in Mexico's presidential elections for which were held in the summer of 2012.

"I was always upset the order in which the inhuman living conditions of immigrants. And I thought, what would happen if people saw how immigrant and maybe then they would have come to understand why they cross the border. "

Migration plays an important role not only in the Mexican presidential elections, it will also be of great importance in the presidential election in the US in November this year. The American dream is that the country is committed to providing a permanent residence and citizenship juvenile immigrants, but for many years the law in this respect is at an impasse. President Barack Obama announced the changes in policy that may protect against the deportation of illegally drove into the US youth. Jarman, photographing Marisol over the years, sought to capture the story of immigrant life on the example of one person. "History is the story of Marisol lives of thousands of immigrants, especially women her age. I saw how she grows and faces different challenges, but it is still a positive outlook on life, thus showing a maturity beyond his years. It is because of this, I have great respect for her as a person and as a woman. "

With one of the problems faced by Marisol during an unplanned pregnancy, which did not allow her to finish school. However, the girl who lives with her husband in central Texas, is still striving to achieve their American dream. "She wants to get out of the vicious circle of poverty and to feel financial stability, to ensure that the lives of their children and make it better than his own. This story can be attributed to many immigrants. One of the best ways to learn to understand the immigrants to stop treating people as statistics. "

Mexico, 1996. Marisol and her mother, Eloise, 39 years old, in the city dump.

Mexico, 1996. Marisol and her brothers and sisters in my house, consisting of three rooms and was built of planks and aluminum sheets.

of Florida, 1996. Marisol's taking the bus to school in the United States for the first time. It is surrounded by other children of immigrants.

Texas, 2000. Marisol sits alone in his room, listening to scold her parents and other relatives. Her family moved to Texas shortly after emigrating to Florida four years ago. Tensions between her parents led to a divorce in 2000, which divided their family.

Texas, 2003. Marisol in the room in which she lives with her three sisters, secretly preparing for a meeting with her first boyfriend.

Texas, 2003. Marisol accompany her best friend Myra on celebrating her quinceañera, a Spanish traditional rite of passage in women aged 15 years.

Texas, 2007. Marisol, her boyfriend Andres and their first son Carlos heated under a blanket adorned way the patron saint of Mexico, Guadalupe.

Texas, 2007. Marisol warms tamales for Andres, who goes to work in your local Ford's sale of washing machines.

Hidalgo, Mexico, 2007. Local village children are Marisol as if it is someone unearthly. Marisol came to his home town of Andres to his parents to meet with their first grandchild. Andres could not return to the United States due to a lack of necessary documents, and Marisol and Carlos went back alone.

Hidalgo, Mexico, 2007. Marisol helps his father Andres butcher killed a sheep for the village party, which he had made after her first visit. Most locals are bred goats and sheep, grow corn, alfalfa and tomatoes.

Texas, 2007. Marisol and Carlos in the living room of his home a few days before she gave birth to her second child.

Hidalgo, Mexico, 2008. Andres, Marisol, and their two children, Carlos and Anahi in the Catholic rite of baptism. Back in Mexico, to baptize their children was a priority Andres. Although they did not have financial savings, and Andres, Marisol found a way to have a party and barbecue for more than 200 people after the baptism of their children than they were very proud.

Mexico, 2008. Andres, Marisol, and with their children stroll through the village. December is a month of parties and festivals throughout Mexico. Many immigrants specifically return home this month to have fun with their families.

Mexico, 2008. Mother Andres uses a new washing machine, bought by her son. At this time, Marisol considers his future plans.

Mexico, 2008. Disgusted by the behavior of Andres in his hometown, Marisol threatened him to break their relationship lasting for 6 years. He begs her to stay with him in Mexico, but not to return to the United States. A month later, they still come back to America, as Marisol health care problem for her children.

Texas, in 2009. Andres and Marisol in the hospital a few hours after the birth of her third child, who was named Louis.

Texas, 2011. Andres, standing on top of a neighbor's house, hangs Piñata filled with candy. It is a Mexican tradition of birthday. Marisol was very pleased that this year they were able to afford to live music and the castle trampoline.

Texas, 2011. Andres has his daughter Anahi in the car to take her sister Marisol. This time, they are both engaged in washing trucks.

Texas, 2011. Marisol truck washes. After the children were three, she got to work with Andres. Despite the fact that the chemicals burned her skin from time to time, Marisol was very proud of the fact that with its own money.

Texas, 2011. Andres embraced Carlos, watching cartoons with the kids. In the trailer, in which they live, only one bedroom, kitchen and living room, but Marisol's very proud of it.

Texas, 2011. Marisol Vinicio father pays a visit to the home of her sister. Marisol and her sisters made peace with his father years after her divorce from their mother.

Texas, 2011. Marisol Andres and with their children watching a cartoon "Cars 2" in 3D at the local cinema. Family trips elsewhere are very rare due to the difficult financial situation.

July, 2011. Marisol with her children goes to 28-hour trip from Mexico City to Dallas, Texas, after 3 weeks staying with the parents of Andres. Traveling by bus is becoming more dangerous due to robberies, and Marisol swore that the last time goes on a journey in this way.