Documentary photograph of a young immigrant mother in Philadelphia.

Documentary photographs of a young immigrant mother from Guatemala.

Documentary photograph of a young immigrant mothers bedroom in the United States.

Documentary photograph of a pregnant immigrant mother by photographer Emily Whitney.

Documentary photograph of a young immigrant mother in the United States.

Documentary photograph of a young immigrant woman and her child's father arriving at work.

Photographs of a young immigrant woman by photographer Emily Whitney.

Documentary photograph of a young immigrant woman in the United States.

Documentary photographs documenting the experience of a young immigrant mother in the United States.

Photograph of letters from Mexico to an immigrant mother in the United States.

Two photographs of a young immigrant mother from Guatemala in the United States.

Documentary photograph of a young girl playing on the playground.

Photographs of the experience of a immigrant mother in the United States by photographer Emily Whitney.

Photographs of an immigrant mother fearing the future under the Trump Administration.

Documentary photograph of an immigrant mother by photographer Emily Whitney.

Photographs of an immigrant child and his drawings by photographer Emily Whitney.

Documentary photograph of the experience of an immigrant mother in the United States.

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Mothers of the Borderland

United States

by Emily Whitney

Published December 2024

This long-form project explores what life is like for young immigrant mothers who crossed the southern border. They left their countries because of violence, abuse, or lack of opportunities. So far in 2024, 43% of migrants encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border were children or families, and families are now the fastest-growing demographic of undocumented border crossers.

The majority of undocumented immigrants will live the rest of their lives in the U.S. without any opportunity to become legal residents. Most of the women in this project are coping with the challenges of being undocumented including long work hours, low income, a lack of economic mobility, limited education opportunities, overcrowded living conditions, a lack of health insurance, social isolation, and more.

Since the election results, it's more important than ever to show how many women who don't have documentation have fled violence and poverty, and now face the news that their security in the U.S. may be an illusion. But despite this uncertainty, motherhood helps them cope and gives them a glimmer of joy amidst their present circumstances.

Emily Whitney

Emily Whitney is a photographer based in suburban Philadelphia focusing on portraiture, photojournalism, and humanitarian photography. After cross-cultural experiences in Africa and Europe, she prioritized working with organizations that advocate for justice and enable opportunity for all. She aims to create images that renew hope through storytelling and photography.

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THE MAGAZINE OF GLOBAL DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY

Mothers of the Borderland

Emily Whitney