Veronica gave birth to her son, Sayed, in a detention cell. She traveled from El Salvador in a truck and was turned away from the holding centre – they don’t take pregnant women. When her labor pains began, the customs guard on duty told her to drink some water. Half an hour later, Sayed came into the world.

After a night in the cold holding centre, the baby got sick. He’s recovering from gastric reflux in El Paso hospital; Veronica visits to breastfeed him every day. As soon as he’s better they plan to rejoin her husband and daughter in Los Angeles, while waiting for their immigration court date.

– Sophie