Immigrants in Arkansas and their extended families face many challenges everyday. Like many Americans, immigrants also care about building safer communities, making sure their children get a good education, and they worry about the rising cost of health care and lack of good paying jobs.

In order to understand the hardships and hopes of immigrant families in Arkansas that consist of legal residents, undocumented immigrants, and full-fledged citizens; you must first know their stories.

Some people in this Street Team ’08 special report have changed their names in order to protect their families and ensure their personal safety.

In the following videos you will hear fascinating stories of hope and hardship from Emily Melody, Marina Fuentes, and Daniel Martinez.

Emily Melody is 13-years old and attends a middle school in Little Rock, Arkansas. Emily wants a good education and security for her family, but there is one problem... Emily, her parents, and her sisters are undocumented.

Marina Fuentes is a 22-year old young mother who works for a mortgage company in Little Rock. Marina is a legal resident of the United States, but at one time she was undocumented and has painful memories of the racial slurs and discrimination she had to endure.

Lastly, you will hear from Daniel Martinez, a permanent legal resident of the United States. Martinez has seven children - 3 boys and four girls who are U.S. citizens, but his wife is undocumented and he cannot fix her status.

Immigrants in Arkansas: Part Two - Video

Immigrants in Arkansas: Part One - Video