Families in Crisis: Illegal Immigration | Full Documentary

Summary

The video follows Rafa Arturo, a Salvadoran deported from the U.S., who struggles to reunite with his son, Jacob, while navigating gang violence and poverty in El Salvador. Having lived in the U.S. for 30 years, Rafa faces challenges in raising Jacob safely and dreams of returning to the U.S. Jacob’s attempts to secure a visa are repeatedly denied, and Rafa contemplates a dangerous illegal journey back to the U.S. This story highlights the harsh realities of deportation, the risks of re-migration, and the emotional toll on families divided by borders.

Takeaways

• 🛑 Central Americans, especially those from El Salvador, face cyclical migration due to violence and lack of opportunities in their home countries.
• 🌍 Many deported Salvadorans spent most of their lives in the U.S., making their return to El Salvador feel foreign and disconnected.
• 👨‍👦 Rafa, a deported Salvadoran, is determined to give his son Jacob a safer and better life in the U.S., despite the legal challenges and risks.
• ⚖️ Rafa has a criminal history and was deported in 2009, which complicates his ability to return to the U.S. legally.
• 💵 El Salvador’s reliance on the U.S. dollar, while beneficial for the American economy, has increased poverty for many Salvadorans.
• 💼 Call centers are one of the few viable employment options for English-speaking deportees in El Salvador, where wages remain low.
• 🔫 Gang violence remains a major threat in El Salvador, with children as young as eight being recruited, leading families like Rafa’s to seek asylum in the U.S.
• 🚸 Rafa’s efforts to secure legal entry for his son into the U.S. through visas have been denied, forcing him to consider illegal methods.
• 🛂 The U.S.’s increasingly strict immigration policies and cuts to foreign aid exacerbate the challenges for families seeking to escape violence and poverty.
• 🛑 Rafa’s family, particularly his daughters in the U.S., are supporting Jacob and advocating for his safe relocation to provide him with better opportunities.

Q & A

What event is being described at the beginning of the script?

The script begins by describing a scene in Tijuana where a group of migrants peacefully protested, but a small group broke off and rushed toward the fence at the U.S. border.

What is the primary reason many of the Central Americans in the caravan are trying to cross into the U.S.?

Many of the Central Americans in the caravan are seeking to reunify with their families and escape violence or poverty in their home countries.

Who is Rafa, and why was he deported from the U.S.?

Rafa is a deported immigrant who lived in the U.S. for over 30 years. He was deported in 2009 after being convicted of three crimes related to theft between 1992 and 2001.

What challenges does Rafa face now that he has returned to El Salvador?

Rafa struggles with being treated as a foreigner in El Salvador, finding it hard to adjust to life there. He faces higher prices as a non-local and deals with the constant threat of gang violence.

Why does Rafa want to send his son Jacob to the U.S., and what obstacles has he faced in doing so?

Rafa wants to send Jacob to the U.S. for safety, better education, and a brighter future. However, his attempts to get Jacob a tourist or student visa have been denied, as U.S. authorities suspect that Jacob would stay illegally.

What role do Rafa’s daughters play in supporting Jacob and Rafa’s family?

Rafa's daughters, all U.S. citizens, provide financial support to Rafa and Jacob. They help with expenses like food and tuition to ensure Jacob can have a better life.

What is the living situation for Jacob and Rafa in El Salvador?

Jacob and Rafa live in poverty, relying on support from Rafa's daughters in the U.S. Rafa works in a call center, one of the few decent jobs available for English-speaking deportees in El Salvador.

How has the U.S. immigration policy affected Rafa and his family?

U.S. immigration policy has kept Rafa and his family apart, making it nearly impossible for him to reunite with his son Jacob or return to the U.S. legally. Attempts to secure legal visas for Jacob have been repeatedly denied.

What is Rafa’s plan to bring Jacob to the U.S., and what risks are involved?

Rafa plans to take Jacob to Guatemala legally, then cross into Mexico illegally and eventually attempt to cross into the U.S. This journey is dangerous, involving risks such as kidnapping, gang violence, and even death.

What challenges does Rafa’s daughter Kimberly face in her attempts to adopt Jacob?

Kimberly and her partner Daphne considered adopting Jacob, but El Salvador’s strict adoption policies made it nearly impossible for them to do so, despite their financial ability and desire to provide Jacob a better life.