Divided Families: The Hidden Cost of Migration

Here's a love story that stretches across two decades, thousands of miles, and an international border. Rocio and Francisco are married but have kept their family together by living apart for the past 19 years.

2007 / Catrin Einhorn / Linda Lutton / Chicago Matters, Chicago Public Radio, USA

Here's a love story that stretches across two decades, thousands of miles, and an international border. Rocio and Francisco are married but have kept their family together by living apart for the past 19 years.

Rocio's raising their children in Michaocan, Mexico, while Francisco's working two jobs in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and sending his earnings back home. The couple's decision to live this way comes as the global economy is pushing thousands worldwide to make similar choices. Reporters Linda Lutton and Catrin Einhorn straddle the US/Mexico border to tell Rocio and Francisco's complicated story.

Divided Families: The Hidden Cost of Migration was edited by Julie McEvoy and mixed by Mary Gaffney.


produced by

Catrin Einhorn

Catrin Einhorn (@catrineinhorn) is a reporter and audio producer who currently writes stories and produces audio for the New York Times.


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