Photos: Tucson siblings to reunite with mom after 14-year separation
After 14 years in Nogales, Sonora, separated from her four U.S.-born children, Gloria Arellano de la Rosa was finally granted a green card this month. In 2009, on the advice of an attorney, she traveled to Mexico to regularize her undocumented status and instead discovered she was subject to a 10-year ban on re-entry. She reunited with her family outside of the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz. on January 20, 2024.
Gloria Arellano de la Rosa reunites with her family, 2024
Bill de la Rosa, left, walks with his mother Gloria, out of the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz. to reunite with family on January 20, 2024.
Gloria Arellano de la Rosa reunites with her family, 2024
Naomi de la Rosa, far right, and her brothers, Bobby, middle, and Jim, react to seeing their mother, Gloria Arellano de la Rosa, walk out of the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz. on January 20, 2024.
Gloria Arellano de la Rosa reunites with her family, 2024
Gloria Arellano de la Rosa, right, hugs her daughter, Naomi, after returning to the United States in Nogales, Ariz. on January 20, 2024.
Gloria Arellano de la Rosa reunites with her family, 2024
Bill de la Rosa, left, embraces his mother Gloria, after leaving an immigration checkpoint at Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz. on January 20, 2024.
Gloria Arellano de la Rosa reunites with her family, 2024
Gloria Arellano de la Rosa is overcome with emotion after leaving an immigration checkpoint at Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz. on January 20, 2024.
Gloria Arellano de la Rosa reunites with her family, 2024
Gloria Arellano de la Rosa embraces her son, Bobby, after leaving an immigration checkpoint at Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz. on January 20, 2024.
Gloria Arellano de la Rosa reunites with her family, 2024
Gloria Arellano de la Rosa, far left, receives hugs from her children, Jim and Naomi after leaving an immigration checkpoint at Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz. on January 20, 2024.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
Their mother, finally allowed to return from Sonora, thanks the U.S. for "an opportunity once again to be here, in the promised land."