A snapshot of the immigration story in N.C.

Laura's story

When she was 10 years old, Laura's family came to the U.S. from Mexico without documents.

FREE VIDEO N.C.: A young illegal immigrant Laura is an illegal immigrant who came with her parents from Mexico when she was 10 years old. She gives a tour of her home and shows us what her life is like. Dateline NBC

During the hours when most children sleep, Laura tries her best to stay awake. At about 11 or 12 at night she has the best chance of catching a glimpse of her mother who comes home between jobs. She never gets to see her father because, when we met, her dad was behind bars facing deportation. Laura knows her mother has to work as many hours as her body can handle to clothe and feed her and her four sisters. That is the whole reason she crossed the border illegally to get to America.

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