Part of the power of these portraits lies in context, in learning who the migrants are, and how, amid such wretched circumstances, a democratic mix of citizens emerges—a melting pot of nationalities and ethnicities, of classes and educations. “It was surreal to see these women in their delicate scarves and fancy handbags,” Florio recalls. “With babes in arms—that type of thing. You had shoeless guys from West Africa and then Syrians who looked like they’d gone shopping for the day. Come as they are.” Jason Florio – read the full feature online: VQR, Winter Edition 2016