Watch The Other Side of Immigration

The Other Side of Immigration is a documentary film released in 2009. The film revolves around the topic of immigration and explores the reasons why Mexican immigrants choose to leave their homes to come to the United States. The movie has two main goals: to bring awareness to the complex reasons behind Mexican immigration and to challenge some of the common misconceptions held by Americans about illegal immigrants.

The film was directed by Roy Germano, a political science professor at the City College of New York, who spent several years traveling to different parts of Mexico and speaking with over 700 people to get a sense of why so many Mexicans were leaving to come to America. The director uses a mix of interviews with migrants and their families, as well as footage of their hometowns and working conditions, to add depth and context to their stories.

The film starts with a brief history of the US-Mexico border and the development of the Border Patrol, which eventually made it more difficult and dangerous for Mexicans to cross illegally. From there, Germano travels to various towns and cities in Mexico to speak with people who have either migrated or have close relatives who have. What he discovers is that, contrary to popular belief, most people who leave Mexico do so not because they want to, but because they have to.

Through personal stories and anecdotes, the film illustrates the stark economic realities in Mexico which are often a major factor in driving people to cross the border. Many interviewees describe the meager and unreliable income they earn working in fields or factories, which is barely enough to support their families. With no prospects for advancement, these workers are left with few options for improving their lives. Meanwhile, the lure of higher wages and more secure employment in the US is hard to resist, even if it means leaving behind loved ones and risking capture by the authorities.

Another theme the movie explores is how the US government's policies contribute to the problem of illegal immigration. The film points a critical lens on American corporations that benefit from the cheap labor provided by undocumented workers while at the same time actively working to keep wages low by keeping them illegal. Additionally, Germano examines the role of US foreign policy and trade agreements that often disadvantage Mexico and worsen its economy.

The Other Side of Immigration is not simply an account of economic hardship but also gives a fuller picture of the experiences of immigrants to better understand the emotional and personal toll of the journey. The director captures the hopes, fears, and dreams of migrants as they make the dangerous trek across the border and ultimately arrive in the US, only to be met with a life of uncertainty, exploitation, and discrimination.

As the title suggests, the movie also acknowledges that there are real costs to migration, both to the individuals and to the communities they leave behind. Germano presents a sobering portrait of the human impact of migration, including the toll it takes on family relationships, the trauma of becoming undocumented, as well as the impact on local communities when their brightest and most ambitious citizens leave for better opportunities elsewhere.

Overall, The Other Side of Immigration is a compelling and thought-provoking film that challenges preconceptions about Mexican immigrants and illuminates the complex motivations that drive these people to risk everything to come to the U.S. It is an excellent resource for anyone seeking a more nuanced understanding of this important and divisive issue.

The Other Side of Immigration is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.1.