The Undocumented facts for kids
The Undocumented is a 90-minute documentary film released in 2013. It was directed by Marco Williams. The film looks into why people die while trying to cross the Mexico-United States border in Arizona. It focuses on the challenges faced by people who cross the border without official permission.
Contents
About the Film: What It Shows
The Undocumented shares the true stories of people who have died in the Arizona desert. These people were trying to cross the border. The film also shows their long journey to be returned to their families.
The movie follows several different stories at once. In Arizona, it shows how the Medical Examiner's office in Pima County, Arizona works. They team up with the Mexican Consulate in Tucson, Arizona. Their main goal is to identify people who have died crossing the border and return them to their families.
The film also follows agents from the U.S. Border Patrol, Search, Trauma and Rescue (BOSTAR) team. These agents have a tough job. They need to enforce the law while also trying to save lives in the desert.
In Mexico, the film shows families finally getting their loved ones back. It also tells stories of people who disappeared while crossing the border and were never heard from again.
Why People Cross the Border and the Dangers
People often try to cross the border into the United States for many reasons. They might be looking for work or a safer place to live. However, crossing the border can be very dangerous.
The Sonoran Desert in Arizona is a harsh place. It has extreme heat, little water, and dangerous animals. Many people have died trying to cross this desert.
The "Funnel Effect" Explained
Over the years, the border has become more secure in some areas. This has led to something called the "funnel effect." It means that people trying to cross are pushed into more remote and dangerous parts of the desert.
- In 1990, only 9 deaths were recorded in Arizona.
- By 2005, this number jumped to 201 deaths.
- In 2009, 213 people died in the Tucson area of the desert alone.
This increase shows how dangerous the journey has become.
Making the Film: Production Details
The main filming for The Undocumented happened between June and December 2009. After filming, the team started editing the movie in February 2010. David Meneses was the editor, and Thomas Peyton was an associate producer. They worked closely with director Marco Williams.
The film received support from several organizations. These included ITVS, the Ford Foundation, and the Fledgling Fund. The Undocumented was made for PBS, a public television network in the USA. It first aired on April 6, 2013.
