As in many other cities around the U.S., immigrants and their supporters marched in Austin, Texas on May 1, 2008 to protest unjust treatment of immigrants and demand civil rights at a time when crackdowns against unauthorized immigrants are rising and an anti-immigrant sentiment is growing around the country.

During the past forty years, Colombians have been ravaged by an armed conflict between paramilitary forces and leftist guerrilla groups who have fought for political and economic gains. As a result, 3,000 people are estimated to die every year, and over the decades at least 3 million civilians have been displaced, forced to flee their homes.

The conditions of the displaced are precarious. They often live in impoverished areas with poor access to food, health, education, and housing. Their estimated household income is slightly more than the equivalent of $100 per month. These photographs document some of these conditions, which are very similar to those experienced by the many who live in urban poverty around the world.

These photographs were taken during a trip with colleagues Gonzalo Retamal, Simon Tafoya and Sheila Maak while analyzing education programs for displaced children.