Young Central American immigrants

Katheryn, left, and Dayana Varela have joined their mother, Silvia Padilla, right, and father in Los Angeles after being raised by their grandparents in Honduras for the last several years. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 4, 2014 4:27 PM PT

The threat of deportation looms large over two Honduran sisters just learning at ages 9 and 13 to live with their parents in Los Angeles after years apart.

Silvia Padilla, left, confers with immigration attorney Alex Holguin after her daughter Dayana, 9, made an appearance in immigration court in downtown Los Angeles to apply for political asylum in the U.S.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

“It was like starting over, like getting to know each other for the first time,” Silvia Padilla, left, says of living with her daughters after years apart. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Katheryn Varela helps family friend Marian Rivera make dinner in the Los Angeles apartment their families share.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Silvia Padilla and daughters Dayana, left, and Katheryn, right, wait for help at El Rescate, an L.A. legal aid clinic for immigrants.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Silvia Padilla talks with immigration attorney Alex Holguin about seeking political asylum for daughters Dayana, left, and Katheryn, who recently left increasing violence in Honduras to join their parents in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Dayana Varela, 9, and mother Silvia Padilla leave immigration court after the girl applied for political asylum with the help of immigration attorney Alex Holguin.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Katheryn Varela, 13, takes a break in the family’s apartment. Like her younger sister, she hopes for political asylum in the U.S. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)