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.
has the largest number of colonias. There are 1,400 Texas
colonias, sitting primarily along its 1,248-mile border with
a glimpse into some of the problems that confront colonia