Breaking Borders: Dying for the American Dream

Michael Voltaggio and Mariana van Zeller travel to the US-Mexico border to cover a story that plays out right in our own backyard: immigration. See pictures from their visit to Nogales, AZ, and Heroica Nogales, Mexico — 2 towns separated by 1 wall.

By: Rani Craft Robinson

Episode: Dying for the American Dream

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Photo By: Ed Kashi/VII

Welcome to Nogales, Arizona

Michael Voltaggio and Mariana van Zeller pose for the camera in Nogales, AZ, just a few minutes from the Arizona-Mexico border and Heroica Nogales, Mexico.

Lunch at Chuyitos food truck

Michael and Mariana dig in to the famous Sonoran hot dog at the Chuyitos food truck.

Sightseeing Along the US-Mexico Border

Michael and Mariana walk alongside a graffitied wall near the border.

In Honor of Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez

A large mural of a young Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez on horseback hangs on the wall in Nogales, Mexico. The 16-year-old boy was killed by US Border Patrol in 2012.

Moment of Reflection

Michael and Mariana reflect on what they’ve learned so far along the US-Mexico border.

La Posada Restaurant

Outside La Posada Restaurant in Nogales, Mexico, which has been serving authentic Mexican food to the community for more than 50 years. Related Video: Mexico's Cuisine

Owner of La Posada Restaurant

Michael and Mariana speak with the owner of La Posada Restaurant.

Interview with Peg Bowden

Michael and Mariana speak with Peg Bowden, a volunteer at El Comedor immigrant center in Nogales, Mexico. Peg lives in Arizona, 12 miles from the Mexican border.

El Comedor Immigrant Center

Migrants are given a meal, clean clothes and shoes at El Comedor immigrant center.

Border Patrol's Minuteman

Mariana and Michael speak with Robert Crooks, a Minuteman, in the Sonoran Desert near Casa Grande, AZ. Minutemen are unofficial US-Mexico border patrols.

Visiting the US-Mexico Border

Mariana and Michael converse after meeting with Robert Crooks.

Walking J Farm

Mariana and Michael visit Walking J Farm, which is known for its organic vegetables.

Jim Chilton's Open Ranch

Mariana speaks with Arizona rancher Jim Chilton, whose ranch borders Mexico but has no fences or walls marking the boundary.

Dinner Prep

Michael prepares vegetables in the kitchen of Hacienda Corona de Guevavi, the site of the dinner between opposing sides of the immigration debate on the US-Mexico border.

What's for dinner, Michael?

One of Michael's dishes for the dinner: chicken with yellow-tomato enchilada sauce.

On the Menu

Michael prepared an array of dishes for the dinner, including radish and carrot salad with carrot-top dressing; beef-tongue fajitas with onions, peppers, coriander and lime; Caesar salad; "flower" tortillas (corn tortillas stuffed with flowers); sweet potato gratin, made with sweet potatoes, Cotija cheese, chili and cream; roast pork shoulder with soy-mustard-butter sauce; and finally, pig ear and fennel salad.

Cheers!

Michael and Mariana share a toast with their dinner guests, who are on opposing sides of the immigration debate, at Hacienda Corona de Guevavi.

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Breaking Borders

Breaking Borders: Dying for the American Dream

Shop This Look

Welcome to Nogales, Arizona

Lunch at Chuyitos food truck

Sightseeing Along the US-Mexico Border

In Honor of Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez

Moment of Reflection

La Posada Restaurant

Owner of La Posada Restaurant

Interview with Peg Bowden

El Comedor Immigrant Center

Border Patrol's Minuteman

Visiting the US-Mexico Border

Walking J Farm

Jim Chilton's Open Ranch

Dinner Prep

What's for dinner, Michael?

On the Menu

Cheers!