Digital Bridges: An Essential Part Of Mexican Immigrant Life

Social media has become a critical lifeline between immigrants and their faraway relatives. They can share pictures and videos instantly and interact electronically.

In Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, immigrant husbands in the U.S. make up for their absence by sending money for smart phones and Wi-Fi connections. Birthdays and weddings are celebrated from a glowing handheld screen. Mexican women meet their newborn grandchildren for the first time on Facebook.

While the new technology helps bridge the distance, families left behind say they'd rather trade their gadgets for the return of their loved ones. From Here & Now contributing station KJZZ, Mónica Ortiz Uribe reports.

This story was produced in association with Round Earth Media, a nonprofit organization that mentors the next generation of international journalists. Mely Arellano contributed to the reporting.