Overview

In America, colonias "the Spanish word for neighborhoods" has come to describe rows of "ruddy, crudely constructed shacks that are little more than a patchwork of old boards and cardboard," according to one resident. These single or double room dwellings were placed on land that was never registered with any city or county. As a result these communities exist without fundamental services such as water and electricity.

Texas has the largest number of colonias. There are 1,400 Texas colonias, sitting primarily along its 1,248-mile border with Mexico.

Take a glimpse into some of the problems that confront colonia families daily.