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Documentary and panel tackle illegal immigration
Joel Bos
Issue date: 2/11/08 Section: News
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While politicians discuss what to do about undocumented immigrants, few seem willing to consider why immigrants try to come to the United States and avoid the laws in place to keep them out.
Last Tuesday, an event sponsored by the UMKC Division of Diversity, Access and Equity showcased director Arturo Perez Torres' film "W------: The Undocumented Documentary," which chronicles the stories of undocumented immigrants and their journeys across borders from Central America to the United States.
On hand to discuss the film was a panel consisting of Judy Ancel, director of UMKC Institute for Labor Studies; Mary Lou Jarmillo, CEO of El Centro, Inc.; Raul Murguia of the Guadalupe Center and Lewis Diuguid vice president of community relations for The Kansas City Star.
The documentary is about undocumented immigrants from the perspective of the immigrants. Torres' film takes place in Nicaragua and gives a firsthand account of two men who want to change their prospects and head north to the United States. Despite the protests of their family and concerns for the dangers that lie ahead, they leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Torres interviewed the leaders of safe houses in his film, which are missions set up to help destitute travelers. Many are injured, beaten or run over by the north-bound, oil-filled trains on which they ride.
At the border between the U.S. and Mexico, the documentary follows the two men as they dodge the U.S. Border Patrol boats, put all their clothes into trash bags, tie the bags to their waists and swim through the Rio Grande. On the other side of the river wait white-armed civilians who assist the Border Patrol in arrests because the government is not doing enough.
Following the documentary, Jaramillo began the discussion by reporting the results of surveys done by El Centro.
"We find that within 30 days immigrants were able to find employment. … We need them," she said. "We need cheap labor to feed our market economy. They need work to feed their families."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Robert
posted 2/12/08 @ 4:46 PM CST
They are not undocumented immigrants, they are illegal aliens. They have plenty of documents, but those documents are fake or stolen. The USA allows the most legal immigrants every year than any other country, and we have the sovereign right and duty to reject and deport illegal aliens. (Continued…)
Ruben
posted 2/13/08 @ 6:00 AM CST
Just a thought lets try to make A Documentary on leberls
justifying IDENTITY THEFT And And there support for Rapist Priest !!!
Lost
posted 2/13/08 @ 10:25 PM CST
U.S. border officers found a wire between two fences along the U.S.-Mexican border that, when stretched taut, could have seriously harmed or even decapitated Border Patrol agents, Congress was told Wednesday. (Continued…)
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