Rosario Macias, 37, has built her life around protecting her 13-year-old son, Adan. A single mother and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, she’s faced hardship and instability but dedicates all of her time to supporting her family.

With President Trump's increased hostility toward immigration and targeting of policies such as DACA, recipients face renewed fears of deportation, family separation and the loss of basic protections that allow them to provide for their children and contribute to their communities in the only country they’ve ever known.

Despite the challenges, Rosario remains grounded in her love for her son. “As a single parent, at the end of the day, he only has me.”

Caption: Adan Macias and his mother, Rosario Macias, rest in their bed on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in their home in Daly City, California. On Sundays, the two spend as much time together as possible, even if it’s just resting in bed.

Rosario Macias walks to her car to head to work on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in Daly City, California. Born in Mexico and raised in San Francisco since the age of two, Rosario’s life has been shaped by struggle and sacrifice. She grew up in the Tenderloin, an area she says “is where drugs were born,” and moved frequently to shield her children from that same environment.

Rosario Macias looks in her rearview mirror on the way to work on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Daly City, California. Rosario is constantly looking over her shoulder, ensuring her surroundings are safe. “I live in fear, not for myself, but for my kids,” Rosario says.

“I’m not gonna lie, I’m worried. I think about it, I’ve seen a lot of deportations and that could be me. It's a potential for me to fall in that, but my son needs me here.”

Rosario Macias and her son Adan walk out of Morazan Market on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in Daly City , California. Rosario became a mother at 16 and has spent years moving from place to place to keep her family safe. Her breakup with Adan’s father left her navigating parenthood alone, but she says Adan keeps her grounded.

Rosario Macias kisses her son, Adan, goodbye as he leaves for his last day of school on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in San Francisco, California. Rosario says she’s put in a lot of effort to teach Adan good manners and has taken the time to learn how to best support him in managing his ADHD.

“I educated myself how to treat him, you know, especially with his condition. The main thing that I've learned is that for him to have a routine and discipline because he can easily get distracted.”

Rosario Macias looks at her manager during her shift at work on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in San Francisco, California. Her manager told her she would have to come in for a double shift the next day, meaning she wouldn’t be able to pick up her son from soccer practice.

Rosario says she works to support her son, ensuring he doesn’t grow up the same way she did. She recently got a promotion to floor manager, which is good financially but she says she will be missing out on a lot of quality time with her son, which is a sacrifice she has to make to save money.

Rosario Macias and her son Adan prepare to leave their shared home on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Daly City, California. They currently live with five other people, and while Rosario is saving for an apartment of their own to give Adan more space, the room she found on Craigslist is all she can afford for now.

Rosario Macias counts her tip money from work on Monday, June 2, 2025, in her home in Daly City, California. She sets aside a few dollars for Adan to use at the mall later with his friends. Every dollar that Rosario makes goes toward giving Adan a better life, including his favorite candy at the grocery store, his soccer club dues or saving for a new home.

Rosario Macias listens to a recording of a Maya Angelou speech while she naps on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in her home in Daly City, California. Every morning and evening, Rosario listens to inspirational podcasts to keep her going during the day. Rosario says she’s switched from music to podcasts to help her grow as she’s started to heal from her previous relationship.

“I was just numb for all those after it ended, you know, all those years, and then suddenly everything was just too much to handle… that’s when I decided to start healing.”

Rosario Macias rubs her eyes on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in her home in Daly City, California. Even through her exhaustion, Rosario has a bond with Adan, and that bond is the heart of their family. On most days, it’s just the two of them, and that closeness has created a deep sense of trust and loyalty. They rely on each other. “It’s me and him against the world,” Rosario says, promising that no matter what comes, they’ll face it together.