Part of Carnegie Mellon's 2011 'Faces of Migration' International Film Festival, CMU presents 'Immigrant Nation: The Battle for a Dream'

Imagine that you open your door one day to find police officers standing before you and requesting to see your documentation. This is the cataclysmic opening scene to Esau Melendez's shockingly poignant documentary, featuring a single mother named Elvira Arellano and her American-born son, Saul. Faced with the dilemma of vehemently protesting the deportation mandate or temporarily leaving her child behind so that he may continue living in America, Elvira realizes the full potential of the Latino American human rights movement. Upon witnessing the compelling scenes that feature giant street protests, heart wrenching interviews with displaced families, and the political dramas displayed on national news networks, the viewer begins to apply a human face to one of the most controversial issues of the decade. Elvira's visceral story inspires thoughtful debate and progressive action in support of the ever-changing mindset regarding international migration.