i understand why some people would want us to go back. >> reporter: pedro doesn't want to go back to mexico. he has been in the u.s. for almost half his life. how many years have you been out of mexico? >> 20 years, 21 years. >> reporter: do you have any family in mexico? >> i have no more family. >> reporter: much has been said about the benefits illegal immigrants enjoy in the u.s., the fact is many of them say life here is much harder than you might imagine. where is your room? >> my room is over here. >> reporter: he lives with a mexican family whom he recently met. this is where he sleeps. >> that is my bed. i don't have any clothes. only clothes i have -- >> reporter: this room contains all his worldly possessions. sold some other things when he left arizona for money. how hard is it to have so little? sleeping bag, four shirts. you have two pairs of shoes. that's all you own in the world right now. how difficult is it for you? >> it's really, really difficult. i think nobody wants to have this kind of life. >> reporter: as hard as life is