Dysplacia: Portraits by Daniela Riojas

Created in response to the discriminatory passing of the Senate Bill 1070/SB1080, “Dysplacia” is a deviation from the medical term “dysplasia,” which refers to an abnormality in development and generally consists of an expansion of immature cells, with a corresponding decrease in the number and location of mature cells.

During a 6-month period in 2011, Daniela Riojas, along with project partner Efrain Torres, set out to document the undocumented – interviewing and photographing immigrants who live in San Antonio. Many were products of early childhood abandonment or were urged to look for work during pre-pubescent years.

The dream of America is ubiquitously mythologized in poverty-stricken areas spanning the entire country of Mexico and even more so in the regions of South America. Making the journey to the United States is an escape from a corrupt Mexican regime riddled with violence and inadequate resources for its civilians. It ignites the Don Quixotian adventurer in them; some start out on foot as young as 7 years-old completely alone. It’s not uncommon to find these adventurers liminal – caught between two worlds – one they don’t want and one that doesn’t want them.