An undocumented, single father lives under constant threat of deportation in Rio Grande Valley, Texas. This video gives a glimpse into one family's struggle to stay together even while split by the border. Full Story »
Posted by Sandip Roy
In this well produced and poignant video an immigrant father's efforts to keep his family cohesive are examined. The family narrative is engaging, told through solid video editing and interview voice-over. More diverse sourcing would have added context. A worthwhile watch.
The editing is well done and treated the family with dignity but for the length of the video there was not much information provided. I was left wanting to know if the children went to school or did they work most of the time, did the mom die in the fire, why did the authorities think he started the fire, what happened to the children when he was deported each time, etc. I was left questioning what was best for the children.
One of the reasons this documentary is so strong is that the filmmakers let Mr. Aranza and his sons speak for themselves. In this way, they are heard, which stands in stark contrast to their daily life: not heard, often not seen, even looked down upon in their own community because he is a single father. Such a powerful story, and just a small but telling glimpse into what many immigrants have to face in their quest for a better life in the U.S. A moving, relevant portrayal.
This documentary is the other side of the immigration issues. Does being illegal mean that you are different or have different goals?
A few hours ago as the Stock Market crashed again, and men and women in Wall Street attire held their heads in despair, wondering if the economy "had bottomed out," I sent an email to my colleague--a professor who has dealt all week with a student melodrama about a grade--asking him if the world seemed topsy-turvy. He said the world had turned "goofy," and he was right. Upon seeing this moving video about a single Mexican father, being deported and returning again to his children, I must confess we are living in ridiculous times without realizing what the true state of the world is, even in our own borders in Iowa, where I have written about immigration for The Des Moines Register. What is it that makes us believe that a wall or ... More »
Immigration is not confined to Texas; in fact, as this video shows, it cannot be confined with a wall or border because the bonds between people are stronger than the ones between nations.
This is a video so I cannot quote; but the text at the end of the documentary notes that the Comeback Dad, after achieving the American dream of a house, was deported for ... More »
This is nothing new. If you want to know the condition of the Mexican lower classes read: The Children of Sanchez - a 1959 novel by American anthropologist Oscar Lewis. It's not our fault.
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