With tears in her eyes, a grandmother bends down and embraces the seven-year-old granddaughter she has not seen in years. In another scene, a man smiles blissfully as he hugs his emotional father. These pictures show the moving moments men, women and children living in the United States were reunited with their deported relatives after the border gate to Mexico was temporarily opened on Sunday. The steel gate at Border Field State Park in California, which was put in place in the mid-1990s, was unlocked by officials in honor of Children's Day, a Mexican holiday that celebrates youngsters and family. And for selected families, it was a long-awaited, intense experience. Two young boys reportedly fell to their knees as they crossed into Mexico and saw their cherished mother for the first time in two years. Emotional: With tears in her eyes, Yolanda Verona, from Tijuana, Mexico, bends down and embraces her seven-year-old granddaughter, Frida Villagomez - whom she has not seen in years - after the gate at Border Field State Park in California was briefly opened for Children's Day . Reunited: Robert Vivar (pictured in the light-colored top) watches as his daughter, Lelainah, seven, hugs his father Robert Vivar Sr at the gate . Joyful: Mr Vivar smiles blissfully as he embraced by his emotional father on the other side of the California fence, while his daughters Lelainah and four-year-old Willow watch. A Border Patrol Officer (left) also smiles as the family reunites during the event, organized by Border Angels . Tear-jerking: Lourdes Barraza Torres and her toddler daughter, Reyna, are seen hugging Torres's two sons, including Alexis Lopez, 10, as they are reunited for the first time in two years. Alex said he 'felt nervous, but at the same time, excited' at the prospect of seeing his mother again . However, the pair, whose mother had been deported to the country while they were at school, only had two minutes to spend with her - because then it was time for another family to be reunited. One of the boys, Alexis Lopez, now 10, told U-T San Diego that he 'felt nervous, but at the same time, excited' to briefly meet his mother, Lourdes Barraza, in front of other families and photographers. He added: 'We talked about how life was without our mom. About how much we love each other.' Event organizer Father Dermot Rodgers said that while the brief reunions were held for Children's Day, they were also meant to draw attention to what he called a broken immigration system. Many of the families were separated when relatives were deported to Mexico after living in the U.S. without documentation. The gate had only been opened to those affected once before, in 2013. No touching: The gate at Border Field State Park, which was put in place in the mid-1990s, was unlocked by officials for Children's Day, a Mexican holiday that celebrates youngsters and family. Above, Abel, two, speaks to his mom, Yolanda Verona, through the mesh fence . In good spirits: Marisela Augustin holds her two-year-old son Angel after traveling to the border with her husband, Maurilio, to see his mother, Antonia Florencia, who lives in Oaxaca, Mexico. The pair had driven from Washington for the opportunity to meet with deported Ms Florencia . Beaming: Ms Florencia speaks with her relatives through the border fence, which has only been opened to relatives once before - in 2013 . Special event: Many of the families were separated when relatives were deported to Mexico after living in the U.S. without documentation . Aside from then and on Sunday, separated loved ones had only been able to speak to each other through the U.S./Mexico border fence, which has thick, steel mesh and is patrolled by officials. The mesh makes seeing each other nearly impossible - never mind touching. On Sunday, four families - some from as far away as Florida - were given the chance to hug, kiss and share tears of joy. Border Angels organized the event. Founded by Enrique Morones in 1986, the non-profit organization provided toys for children who were reunited with their relatives at the fence. 'It’s only a couple of minutes, but that’s a whole world to somebody who had only been able to see (their family) through Skype, or the wall,' Mr Morones told the news site on Monday. Couple: Hugo Alvarado, of San Diego, California, chats to his wife Guadalupe through the border fence, which is heavily patrolled by officials . Gazing out: Ms Florencia speaks with family members through the border fence. It is not known when the border gate will next be opened . In chage: Enrique Morones (left), the founder of the Border Angels, which organized the event, stands with Border Patrol Officers as he speaks with people who are about to approach the border fence near the ocean. 'It’s only a couple of minutes, but that’s a whole world to somebody who had only been able to see (their family) through Skype, or the wall,' Mr Morones said on Monday as the gate was opened to families . Tight security: Border Patrol Officers are pictured standing by the gate in the border fence, just minutes before four families were reunited . 'To finally put your arms around somebody and realize that love has no borders is very significant.' The pictures from Sunday's event include an image of two-year-old Abel speaking to his mother, Yolanda Verona through the border fence, while being held by his uncle, Albert Villagomez. They also include a photo of Marisela Augustin holding her two-year-old son Angel after traveling to the border with her husband, Maurilio, to see his mother, Antonia Florencia, who lives in Oaxaca. It is not known when the border gate will next open to separated families.
Gate at Border Field State Park, California, was opened for selected families on Sunday in honor of Children's Day .
It was only the second time it had been unlocked by Border Patrol Officers since it was put in place in mid-1990s .
Two young boys fell to their knees as they saw mom for first time in two years after she was deported to Mexico .
'We talked about how life was without our mom. About how much we love each other,' said one of boys, aged 10 .
Meanwhile, one grandmother wept as she embraced her seven-year-old granddaughter in front of photographers .
Many of the deported relatives had been living in US without documentation - and had not seen families for years .
They were given just minutes to hug and kiss their loved ones; event was organised by non-profit Border Angels .