He was deported, then he died. Now his family of 6 is reeling.

Jose Sanchez died trying to cross the Rio Grande after he was deported in November. Now his partner is adjusting to life as a single mom of five.

Tiffany Barrera, 31, is a newly widowed mother in San Antonio, Texas, with five children who attend three different schools. Her afternoons are chaotic, with school pickups at 3:00, 3:45 and 4:15 p.m.

"It's crazy," Barrera said. "Right now, I'm (struggling) to even get gas money to go and pick up the kids from school, so I have to ask the school if they can hopefully give me a bus route to come pick up my kids."

Her partner, Jose Sanchez, who was deported in November and died in January while trying to cross the Rio Grande, used to help with school drop-offs and pickups, Barrera said. He was also the primary breadwinner of the family, while Barrera took care of the house.

"He was all we had," said Barrera, who was born in the U.S. "He was our main support. He did everything for us."

Barrera is now reeling, adjusting to life as the sole caregiver for her five children, who are all, like her, grieving. Her kids are having trouble eating and sleeping. They get counseling services at school, she said, but they need more support. So does she.