MORE

In the News

In Arizona, undocumented face a choice: Stay in fear, or join exodus

Arizona's controversial new immigration law has left one family in a frightened limbo, as they consider whether the mother should stay in Phoenix or try to leave without being arrested.

5 Seconds

00:00

00:00

Viridiana looks out the window of her apartment in north Phoenix. The native of Mexico came to the United States illegally eight years ago. Now, under Arizona's new immigration law, she fears that if she ventures outside too often she could be caught up in a law-enforcement sweep.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Viridiana heads outside to fill up a water bottle, followed by her 2-year-old daughter. She and her husband, John, sitting at the table, are trying to figure out if they can get her out of Arizona without being arrested.

Viridiana heads outside to fill up a water bottle, followed by her 2-year-old daughter. She and her husband, John, sitting at the table, are trying to figure out if they can get her out of Arizona without being arrested.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

John tends to Viridiana's 5-year-old son, who is disabled and requires breathing and feeding tubes.

John tends to Viridiana's 5-year-old son, who is disabled and requires breathing and feeding tubes.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Viridiana brushes her daughter's hair. Like her father and brother, the girl is a U.S. citizen.

Viridiana brushes her daughter's hair. Like her father and brother, the girl is a U.S. citizen.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

The couple's daughter and a neighbor boy play in the family's living room.

The couple's daughter and a neighbor boy play in the family's living room.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

John, with one of the family's pet poodles, says he is worried that if he tries to get Viridiana across the Arizona border and they are stopped, he will be arrested for harboring an illegal immigrant.

John, with one of the family's pet poodles, says he is worried that if he tries to get Viridiana across the Arizona border and they are stopped, he will be arrested for harboring an illegal immigrant.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

John, rolling a homemade cigarette, struggled with drug addiction before he met and married Viridiana.

John, rolling a homemade cigarette, struggled with drug addiction before he met and married Viridiana.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Holding her daughter, Viridiana looks out the window. An aunt is trying to get her to leave Arizona and join her in a small town in Washington state.

Holding her daughter, Viridiana looks out the window. An aunt is trying to get her to leave Arizona and join her in a small town in Washington state.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Perched on the table, John and Viridiana's daughter watches cartoons.

Perched on the table, John and Viridiana's daughter watches cartoons.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

John, putting his daughter down for a nap, says he is concerned about how he and the children might fare if Viridiana were arrested.

John, putting his daughter down for a nap, says he is concerned about how he and the children might fare if Viridiana were arrested.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Viridiana's son clings to John's fingers. The boy, who cannot walk or talk, spends his days on the living room couch. John and Viridiana met as passengers on a city bus when he offered to help her carry her son's medical equipment.

Viridiana's son clings to John's fingers. The boy, who cannot walk or talk, spends his days on the living room couch. John and Viridiana met as passengers on a city bus when he offered to help her carry her son's medical equipment.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Viridiana's son requires frequent medical care.

Viridiana's son requires frequent medical care.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Viridiana, carrying her son, had to quit working to care for him full-time.

Viridiana, carrying her son, had to quit working to care for him full-time.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

The family's TV is on John's list of belongings they will sell as they plan a potential move out of the apartment.

The family's TV is on John's list of belongings they will sell as they plan a potential move out of the apartment.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Viridiana blows soap bubbles for her daughter to pop.

Viridiana blows soap bubbles for her daughter to pop.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Viridiana's daughter blows bubbles.

Viridiana's daughter blows bubbles.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

John and his daughter have lunch at home.

John and his daughter have lunch at home.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

John and Viridiana leave a local restaurant after lunch out, a rare luxury in recent weeks, since she said she is afraid to leave the apartment too often.

John and Viridiana leave a local restaurant after lunch out, a rare luxury in recent weeks, since she said she is afraid to leave the apartment too often.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

The couple drives home from lunch in John's van. He has considered just driving her out of state, but is afraid they will be stopped. 'I crossed without permission,' Viridiana admits. 'I committed a crime. That's one thing attached to me. I can't get rid of it.'

The couple drives home from lunch in John's van. He has considered just driving her out of state, but is afraid they will be stopped. "I crossed without permission," Viridiana admits. "I committed a crime. That's one thing attached to me. I can't get rid of it."

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Back at the apartment, the couple's daughter plays in the front of the van while Viridiana lifts her son out of his car seat.

Back at the apartment, the couple's daughter plays in the front of the van while Viridiana lifts her son out of his car seat.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Featured Photo Galleries

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

French Open results: Serena Williams loses, Maria Sharapova cruises

The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Winnie Pajcic, 9, holds on to a railing as she leans back in the wind during a visit to Stockton Park in Ortega, Fla., in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl on Monday May 28, 2012. Beryl came ashore early Monday near Jacksonville Beach with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Kelly Jordan)

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more in the day in photos

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 26: Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (C) performs with dancers during the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Lil Jon, Eddie Van Halen, Mariah Carey and other celebrities.

Doc Watson, bluegrass and folk legend, dies at 89

The blind singer and guitarist was a Grammy winner, known for his flat-picking style of guitar playing.

Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

COVINGTON, LA - MAY 14: Brother Emmanuel Labrise of St. Joseph's Abbey prepares a casket for lining on May 15, 2012 in Covington, Louisiana. Louisiana law forbids those who are not licensed funeral directors from selling caskets. And since Hurricane Katrina leveled the timberlands that once provided the main source of funding for the abbey, the monks have attempted to make a living by building and selling simple cypress caskets. The monks won their first round last year, and have a hearing at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in June. (Photo by Sean Gardner/For the Washington Post)

Louisiana monks fight for the right to sell coffins

Federal court case pits a group of monks against the funeral home industry.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Loading...

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.