More photos of Texas Colonias here:
http://geography.wr.usgs.gov/science/images/coloniasVan.jpg
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/08/27/us/27colonias.xlarge1.jpg
http://www.redcounty.com/userfiles/image/colonias.jpg
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/08/17/us/20colonias_mm.wide.jpg
http://www.usborderpatrol.com/TijuanaBorderHouse.jpg
http://www.county.org/resources/library/county_mag/county/114/img/Leg-Colonias.JPG
Believe me, I have seen them up close and in person.