On the Border: Meet Yovany Diaz

News

Yovany Diaz of Roswell has received a two-year reprieve from deportation. Diaz, who dreams of becoming a social worker, worries the border security legislation could prompt more immigrants to cross dangerous stretches of remote terrain.

Roswell - Portrait of Yovany Diaz at his apartment home in Roswell on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. Diaz, who was 8 years old at the time, now lives with his mother in Roswell and works at a local discount warehouse store. "It was very dark. The water was cold," said Diaz, who has received a two-year reprieve from deportation. Diaz, who dreams of becoming a social worker, worries the border security legislation could prompt more immigrants to cross dangerous stretches of remote terrain. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Atlanta - Yovany Diaz (center) is greeted by Silvia Carrera (second from left) as they gather to support Jonathan Zuniga, who is a Dreamer from Buford and left to Mexico after his high school graduation, near Representative John Lewis office in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. Diaz, who was 8 years old at the time, now lives with his mother in Roswell and works at a local discount warehouse store. "It was very dark. The water was cold," said Diaz, who has received a two-year reprieve from deportation. Diaz, who dreams of becoming a social worker, worries the border security legislation could prompt more immigrants to cross dangerous stretches of remote terrain. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Atlanta - Yovany Diaz (center) and other supporters gather to support Jonathan Zuniga, who is a Dreamer from Buford and left to Mexico after his high school graduation, near Representative John Lewis office in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. Diaz, who was 8 years old at the time, now lives with his mother in Roswell and works at a local discount warehouse store. "It was very dark. The water was cold," said Diaz, who has received a two-year reprieve from deportation. Diaz, who dreams of becoming a social worker, worries the border security legislation could prompt more immigrants to cross dangerous stretches of remote terrain. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Atlanta - Yovany Diaz (center) and other supporters Lucino Gopar (left) and Silvia Carrera (right) make signs to support Jonathan Zuniga, who is a Dreamer from Buford and left to Mexico after his high school graduation, near Representative John Lewis office in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. Diaz, who was 8 years old at the time, now lives with his mother in Roswell and works at a local discount warehouse store. "It was very dark. The water was cold," said Diaz, who has received a two-year reprieve from deportation. Diaz, who dreams of becoming a social worker, worries the border security legislation could prompt more immigrants to cross dangerous stretches of remote terrain. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Atlanta - Yovany Diaz (foreground) and other supporters Silvia Carrera (left) and Lucino Gopar (right)make signs to support Jonathan Zuniga, who is a Dreamer from Buford and left to Mexico after his high school graduation, near Representative John Lewis office in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. Diaz, who was 8 years old at the time, now lives with his mother in Roswell and works at a local discount warehouse store. "It was very dark. The water was cold," said Diaz, who has received a two-year reprieve from deportation. Diaz, who dreams of becoming a social worker, worries the border security legislation could prompt more immigrants to cross dangerous stretches of remote terrain. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Atlanta - Yovany Diaz (foreground) smiles as he talks with Silvia Carrera (right) as they gather to support Jonathan Zuniga, who is a Dreamer from Buford and left to Mexico after his high school graduation, near Representative John Lewis office in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. Diaz, who was 8 years old at the time, now lives with his mother in Roswell and works at a local discount warehouse store. "It was very dark. The water was cold," said Diaz, who has received a two-year reprieve from deportation. Diaz, who dreams of becoming a social worker, worries the border security legislation could prompt more immigrants to cross dangerous stretches of remote terrain. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Atlanta - Yovany Diaz (left) heads to a press conference to support Jonathan Zuniga, who is a Dreamer from Buford and left to Mexico after his high school graduation, near Representative John Lewis office in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. Diaz, who was 8 years old at the time, now lives with his mother in Roswell and works at a local discount warehouse store. "It was very dark. The water was cold," said Diaz, who has received a two-year reprieve from deportation. Diaz, who dreams of becoming a social worker, worries the border security legislation could prompt more immigrants to cross dangerous stretches of remote terrain. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

1/7

Roswell - Portrait of Yovany Diaz at his apartment home in Roswell on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. Diaz, who was 8 years old at the time, now lives with his mother in Roswell and works at a local discount warehouse store. "It was very dark. The water was cold," said Diaz, who has received a two-year reprieve from deportation. Diaz, who dreams of becoming a social worker, worries the border security legislation could prompt more immigrants to cross dangerous stretches of remote terrain. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Today's Gallery Headlines

Alerts

PHOTOS: See the 'Places in Peril' across Georgia for 2026

PHOTOS: Tyler Reddick wins again at Autotrader 400

PHOTOS: Hundreds honor Laken Riley with 5K, memorial on UGA campus

PHOTOS: Holy Innocents’ wins Region 5AA championship in basketball

PHOTOS: Scenes from icy winter storm in Metro Atlanta

PHOTOS: Georgia readies for incoming ice storm

PHOTOS: Metro Atlanta ICE protest join national effort

PHOTOS: Georgia's first snowfall of the year