Award-winning photographer Joseph Rodriguez recently revealed the stunningly heartwarming and heartbreaking images of his long-term project he calls “Migrantes”.

In an interview with The New York Times, Rodriguez spoke of the project, in which he followed a number of several immigrant families as they traveled from Mexico to various parts of the southern United States, including the highly publicized state of Arizona.

What makes Rodriguez’s “Migrantes” different from other reports and photographs, is the fact that it’s truly a photographic documentary. Rather then just pop into these families’ lives, take a couple photos, and pop out, Rodriguez says, “I always felt it was important for me to hang out in the living room. It slows me down and makes me listen.”

Read more about Rodriguez’s project and see the photos at The New York Times.