The Least of These

Older Comments on The Least of These

• Posted 05/31/11 by bellagatta
  To solve this problem, is not to let ancher babies become citizens!! Look at Japan, they control immigration. if a baby is born in Japan that baby can be a ciitzen if the Father is a native born Japanese! If the parents are illegal than their children are not citizens because neither parent is a citizen! Simple! Our laws are old and need to be updated.
• Posted 02/22/11 by SG
  Its hard not have some compassion for these folks but why should the tax payers of the USA be responsible for child abuse, spouse abuse, gang recruitment, sexual mutilation that happened in another country? We have plenty of our own problems to deal with we can't eat the sins of the world and make everything better. When caught they should be returned to their nations of origin immediately. What happens after that isn't our concern. I don't think these people are being abused in any way by us. I wonder what the detention facilities are like in their own countries?
• Posted 01/29/11 by luis m.
  en verdad son personas las q se encuentran en estos centros de detencion son humanos no son prisioneros de guerra sabemos q es contra la ley ingresar a un pais de esta manera pero por dios puede ser una hermana de cualquiera de nosotros una madre erc, hemos perdido la dignidad si estas personas hacen el trabajo sucio que los otros no quieren hacer y cuando digo trabajo sucio me refiero a trabajo onrado que quede claro el delicuente que si pague pero estas personas lo hacen por sus hijos y padres por favor piensen en dios antes de jusgar mal a estos hermanos
• Posted 01/12/11 by Americantaxpayer
  First us so called "American Tax Payer" Lets get this straight We Have to pay our taxes. It is a organization called the IRS that forces us to pay for this crap. And those that don't understand, well let me give u my bills to pay for all these problems. the American people have lost control over what our goverment does. If you think that the common man/woman in America has some say over all these issues then you are misinformed. The Goverment in America does what it wants when it wants to do it and does not care about the people. We are just the ones that are required by law to pay for all this crap.the Americans pay for all these debts. There are three ways that you can control a country. 1. with the military, 2. with religion, 3. TAXES. Do you really think that you will be Free in America? lol, There is nothing Free here. The moment you are in America and become a citizen then you too have to pay theses debts. But free reign of anybody and everybody to come to America is crazy. There has to be some sort of control over this. If you cannot control your borders then you don't have a Nation. So If your going to get mad then don't COME TO AMERICA. And second STFU about your rights in MY country. When I go to your country I will have to live by your Narco laws. Ask yourself does the country you come from have Immigration laws, I bet they do. And those laws are most likely worse than American laws. Be thankfull that we don't arrest all illegals and detain them.
• Posted 11/15/10 by Kurt Thialfad
  We have to deport people more quickly. Children need to go home with their parents. Detention is costly.
• Posted 05/27/10 by used2billegal
  If you're going to be a mad, so called "American" tax payer please do NOT read this! I just don't understand why the fuc% watch a documentary about illegal immigration that is obviously NOT going to have the happy ending you wanted to have for example like sending all the illegal immigrants & their children back to their country. On another note I hope they would have done a follow up on the people they interviewed. After watching this I hope I could have the power to go to Honduras and rescue that poor woman's daughter from her rapist of a husband. I mean don't you people get it they are looking for a better life where the hell are they going to run to Mexico? That whole country is fuc&ed;up north south east west. Let's see El Salvador? The capitol of MS? I wouldn't take my worst enemy there let alone my children so whats left? South America? Not that much better so I'll go to how about the U.S.? Even though 1/4 of the population is stereotypical & racist it has clean water, laws, jobs and nice trees. Now if I was going through what these women were going through of course I'd pick the U.S. at least it's better than my rapist machete abuser husband! What these people want is freedom Americans are born with and i will never understand why we cannot let people like in this documentary have it. Humble people who want to earn it. For the criminals who come to the U.S. I could give a rats ### about BUT women and children? Come on have a fuc%ing heart! Especially the ones who are psychologically/physically abused and on top of that we have to send them to "detention" and psychologically abuse them some more? And this #### of "im paying with my taxpaying dollars" well then why don't you let them work for it for their families so they can feed and shelter themselves their children. Yes most if not all do not file taxes but they're being underpaid anyways and who says they don't want to file taxes at the end of the day they can't and have no control of it so why the hell would you want to take more away from them? How the fuc% are they going to apply to get legal? It costs over 2 grand just to start the process. How are they suppose to pay? Monopoly money you idiots?! They come from countries where they live off from a dollar a day so for those who say tell them to save before hopping the border stick it up your ###! Do your research, interview an immigrant, ask around for stories and maybe then you will understand it through their eyes #######s
• Posted 04/29/10 by Myke
  The Iraqi people flee their country. Americans fought and somtimes died for every right we have. Now we are supposed to give these people all the rights we fought for when they aren't brave enough to fight for their rights in their own country. And why do they keep having children when they suppposedly living in fear? Why bring more children into that environment? This is a country of LEGAL immigrants. Not illegals. Turning America into a third world country is not going to help anyone. Amnesty will turn us into a third world country and all these people will be living the same life they left. America cannot afford to feed, clothe and house everyone who comes across our border illegally. Our hospitals and schools are going bankrupt. Americans are out of jobs. Send these people home now. Let them fight for their rights the way we did. And give them some birth control.
• Posted 04/25/10 by tyler520
  basic, inarguable statistical facts: 1. 40% of all workers in L. A. County ( L. A. County has 10.2 million people)are illegals working for cash and not paying taxes. 2. 95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens. 3. 75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens. 4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births were paid for by taxpayers. 5. Nearly 35% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally. 6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages. 7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border. 8 Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal. 9. 1 in 25 illegals are felons 10. 1 in 12 illegals have commited sexual assault 11. 1 in 7 illegals have commited at least 1 misdemeanor 12. illegals have driven down labor wages for legitimate immigrants by 53% 13. illegals work for illegal wages (read: below minimum wage) pay a legal wage, and expect real citizens to line up at the door for work…of course, there aren’t any jobs anymore anyways thanks to Mr. Obama
• Posted 04/21/10 by shye
  There's a reason why these people flee their own country. They risk their lives and the lives of their families in strive for a better life-a better future. If not for themselves-but for their children. Screw America and your tight assed ways. Canada welcomes all nations!
• Posted 04/08/10 by cas
  these are families seeking a better life not criminals. America should be an asylum of hope and safety, not like this.
• Posted 03/08/10 by Ian
  I am so sick of this bull@#$% propaganda about how we are all immigrants in America! Just because our country was founded by people who came from another country does not make me a ####ed immigrant! Nor does it make 75% of the people in this country immigrants! If you are born in America, you are a native to AMERICA! If you are born to American parents in another country, then return to be raised here, you are a native to AMERICA! You are only an immigrant if you were born in another country without American citizenship, then after living their you move here after having obtained a LEGAL means to enter the country! Yes, these people have sad and tragic stories of the lives that they have been forced to lead. We too have horrible stories of people who are forced to lead terrible lives, most not by their own choice. Hurricane Katrina and the Superdome? Those were AMERICANS (mostly) that were told if they wanted a place to stay, food to eat and water to drink they would stay their with countless others in conditions far worse than what these detainees live in. American's who were thirsty, tired and hungry but it took days to give them the assistance they needed. Now, were are supposed to look down on the fact that our government wants to do something right and do it BY THE LETTER OF THE LAW?! Look, again this is all very saddening and horrific but we are unable to care for own why then should it be our responsibility to care other countries (whether it be a white dominated country, a black dominated country or a latino dominated country you bleeding heart liberal!) poor and malnourished? People wanted to take the words of the past "Give me your poor..." and use them in a modern sense but these are also the same people that would say we have to have gun control! So, it basically becomes a double standard about the rights afforded to us by the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution. Some have to be followed when it comes to this idea that because we were created with a foundation of immigrants, we are still immigrants and we have to take in any immigrants that cross our borders (illegal or otherwise, odd that the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks were all immigrants that passed our borders legally because the check system has become so lax). Yet, pertaining to rights that are there to protect ourselves, like the 2nd Amendment, it shouldn't count because guns kill people. Wrong, People Kill People. Lastly, if you want to type here learn proper English!!
• Posted 12/31/09 by Mexican American
  We are all brothers America standing strong and tall, the tallest in the world. This country toke 1-3 of my ancestors land.(Mexico) My father came over at age 13 on his own, and raised a family on an Agriculture picker salary. My older brother just caming back from Afganistan as a Master Sgt for the 75 Ranger Bat. (Special Forces) Sister Army nurse, and me Pfc 3rd Ranger Bat. all ready to give all for this county, my country!! GOD bless this Immigration all Immigration. Face it everyone, you can't stop this poeple because they want the dream the American Dream! They will even die for it. Dont think so look a little closer.
• Posted 12/08/09 by SOLID BOARDERS
  I dont care what these people say or how they direct the inmates to act and do for their causes benefit. The parents are teaching their kids its fine to invade our country and when they get caught were the bad guys. I pray these kids realize their parents did this by choice someday. The old laws of the country dont apply today and they bend and break them when they want so why not when the public wants no more invaders.I think they should revolve right back to mexico.These ignorant people think this country is a free ride just look how many come and live off the state.
• Posted 11/09/09 by andy
  you peopl. aclu people are killing me with your kindness..why you useing my money to help these people and changing the way ways of life in america...look around you there is sickness and hatered that you are causeing. you stand up for everything you shouldn't be souch as americans first. so you say it is all right to come acrosse our borders. but in all reality it is illegal and should be locked up till sent back to where they came from...look around and see what you are doing to this country..you are taking the benifits of the americans who paid into the system and giving it to illegal aliens who have paid nothing into the system.look at the emergency rooms across america and see who is being treated for free or at americans expense...you people ( aclu ) did this with you phoney cause's...
• Posted 11/07/09 by terry
  this whole mess is about responsibility. it is the responsibility of each nation to care for its citizens. if they refuse to meet their responsibility for whatever reason it does not by default become the reponsibility of the u.s. simply because they get inside our borders illegally. do i get a kick out of foreign people being abused by their own country - no. ask the people of nicaragua if they would welcome millions of poor, uneducated vietnamese, nigerians and lithuanians? their response will be "hell no!!" why are americans expected to care and pay for the well-being of anyone that chooses to come here without authorization?
• Posted 10/21/09 by strungoutfromtheroad
  This is America, or should I say was America. Does anyone remember what is written on the Statue of Liberty? ---- "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"----- Does anyone remember The Pledge Of Allegiance? ----- "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."------ We all need to get back to the roots of our country and why it is so significant to the rest of the world! The Great Experiment is failing...We need to get it back!
• Posted 10/19/09 by andy
  they still make baby's....they get feed ...all this for free on mmy taxed dollars...my mother in law 89 years old nurseing home thousnads and thousands of dollars pays and all she is allowed 50 dollars a month...but you want me to support these ileagl's.your all full of poop....tie their tubes and casterate their men. and send them back to where they came from..i am tired of spending tax dollars on the worlds poor...i also believe your ACLU should be casterated...male and female and who ever belives in you
• Posted 10/14/09 by michelle
  is that not hate speech right up there? seriously, "SnagFilms reserves the right to modify and/or remove comments that are deemed to be hate speech, spam, or inappropriate." what does that mean if people can say such cruel things...if you don't care, don't watch the video, don't say anything...instead of making Americans look like idiots. What if something happened to you and you had to leave your land to go to some place so different from your home...and people said well go home you're not welcome here we have our own problems. The film is called the Least of These. Jesus said, "whatever you did to the least of these, you did to Me, and He will also say to those on His left, whatever you neglected to do for the least of these, you neglected to do it for Me." Some "Christian" country this is...only God is a fair judge. May God's love touch your life and you remember that these too are the children of God and, yes, they broke the law of the USA...but even Jesus visited people in prison, he ate amongst the prostitutes and taxpayers...he went cared for the lepers... and he's with those who are "criminals", defending the lives of themselves and their children from abuse... God Bless America. May we be a light of hope and love not discrimination and neglect.
• Posted 10/09/09 by Soulshine
  If American citizens choose NOT to obay the laws of our country then we are punished. Why should those who choose to do as they please, when they please, be exempt from our laws? What about all the great people who come here the right way and wait their turn, go through the process to come here legally? Is it fair to them? Are my American born children affected by my choices? Yes they are! I either choose to do what is best for my children or to do as I please. If I don't do what is best for my children they suffer. Why is it the right thing to do when we send American parents who break the law to jail and seperate them from their children? I didn't see any part in the video where the ACLU ect was enraged because American citizens were incarcerated and seperated from their children. Do those children not suffer as a result of their parents choice to break the law? I think we should clean up our own yard before cleaning our neighbors yard. Immigrants that come here legally by going through the process our government has set up, worry more about them and send the criminals who think they are above going through the due process back where they come from and ban them from ever comming back. Soulshine
• Posted 10/09/09 by iulia
  If people are fleeing persecution in thier counrty, they can't obtain a pass port in the country, but they really need to flee the country, and I guess they arrive here scared, not knowing the language and scared when they find out that they can be deported, to another country where their relatives wont know where they are and where they don't know the language, you know? Everyone wants the best for themselves and for their family, right? So then, when they come here, illegally, fleeing from persecution or fleeing from family abuse or for whatever reason, they are looking for the best, and who doesn't want the best? I'm sure that they all want a good job in order to live a good life, but they can't get a quality job, wether because their education isn't sufficient (maybe because they couldn't afford it) or isn't recognized in the US, or because they don't have the documentation to show that they can work here leggally, but I think they would be paying taxes if they could get the job legally. I knew 2 immigrants from Europe, they came to the US legally but they didn't have work permits. They worked in cleaning, many hours a day and night, they did pay taxes, I know the person who helped them do their taxes, they were sending most of their money back home to their family, and I really don't know how they had any money to live on or how they had the ability to keep going, they couldn't afford to do anything outside of what they had to do. They wnet back to their home in Europe. I think you shouldn't judge a person by the situatin they're in, but by the things they do. They shouldn't be counted as illegal just because a law says so or because people think that they suck off of social security or something. Many of them don't get monetary help from the government, and besides, if you're in need of money from the government, it shows that you need financial help, not that you're living the good life, I mean, most of them don't have easy living conditions as my two friends who went back home, many of them do jobs that Americans would never do, I mean who stoops in the chicken farm and plucks the feather's off of your southern fried chicken before it gets cooked and sent to the store? Who cleans your office buildings and who stoops over in the dark, mushroom farm and picks the mushrooms and cleans the mushrooms you buy.
• Posted 10/09/09 by SaphenaNoel
  You two women should go to Mexico with the illegals Your just as bad why do they deserve more then HUTTO give me a break I dont feel sorry for them The parents broke the Law. SEND THEM BACK OMG JUST LET THEM CROSS THAT BORDER AND TELL THEM TO NEVER LOOK BACK.
• Posted 10/09/09 by Steve
  I spent 30 days in a jail with the exact layout as this one for a crime I did not commit and charges were dropped. I never saw food they they are getting, I never had a uniform that even close to fit, and flopping rubber sandals were all we got to wear on our feet. There were no table clothes or porcelin fixtures. In fact there were no toilet seats. The walls were cinderblock. The day room had nothing but iron tables with 4 fastened seats to a table. There was nothing else there. No coke machine, nor ablilty to buy any. You were locked in your 5x9 cell for all be a few hours per day. Medical treatment amounted to a non-caring minority who dispensed minimum medicatios at random times per day. These guys have club med here. This isn't jail, its a condo. They get great food and decent clothes and shoes, good medical, all for crossing a river or climbing through a fense. Meanwhile the ACLU is worried about these illegal immigrants who have clearly broken the law, and don't give a care who is paying for this bill. I used to cost the county about $110. a day to keep a prisoner in jail. But for a whole family and tons of extras like toys etc. the price has to be triple that. Thanks ACLU for taking such good care of people who are no citizen, while we get evicted, lose our jobs, sell everything we have to exist and jump through hoops to try to maintain transportation. Someones head is on backwards. Why don't they just cross the border and fix Mexico for them. If we are going to pay to keep them here, then we might as well just move the housing to Mexico, and let the mexicans run it. Or we could run it in Mexico for them. Maybe then they wouldn't be so tempted to leave and assume our jobs, drive up our medical costs, and deplete everything in our state without ever paying a penny of tax.
• Posted 10/09/09 by J Shaver
  If they don't want their children in jail maybe they should not break the law. If I break the law my children are taken from me and I'm locked up. Should we take the children and place them with families until they turn 18 and can make choices for themselves?
• Posted 10/09/09 by Juan
  Jeff,you are a racist pig. You are the reason many people around the world DO NOT like Americans...remember that America was founded on the idea of plurality. Note that you can find the Latin phrase E.Pluribus Unum on our currency. Only white America gets angry about this issue. Open up the the borders like Europe did...the E.U. is much stronger than the U.S. right now. Let's learn from them!
• Posted 10/09/09 by lew
  they are here illegally, we can no longer afford as a nation to take care of them. if the aclu and others do not want them in prison, then take them into your homes
• Posted 10/09/09 by Rick
  Early immigrants to this country had to pass through Ellis Island. They needed to know a limited amount of English, and a bit of our countries history to become a citizen. Sometimes upon entry as a citizen our last names were even changed. My point is that most of the citizens of this country (other than Native Americans) came from somewhere else. Our forefathers had to work hard to put food on our tables and clothes on our backs. Had to barter for medical needs and so forth. Now our society has things like free medical, food stamps, welfare, section 8 housing, and on and on. WHO PAYS FOR THIS. The money that pays individuals does not come out of thin air. It's supposed to be OUR tax dollars. Money that we working people put in the coffers hoping to never have to use. With illegal immigrants and people taking advantage of the system taking from the system that we pay for pretty soon there is nothing left and eventually the GOVERNMENT does not have any more to give. The GOVERNMENT just prints more money and pretty soon your dollar is worthless. It's a NO WIN SITUATION. People who wish to become a citizen need to apply and if approved, work for a living and put in there fair share to the coffers. Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to tax our already under funded school systems. Our roads are falling apart. Our electricity is being transmitted on outdated systems that are failing, Our our Social Security retirement is shaky at best, our jails are not big enough to hold dangerous criminals, Our police and fire departments don't have enough money keep the already employed let alone hire more because the population keeps increasing. We continually have to cut back our military because there is not enough money. Who will keep this country safe from those around the world who wish to harm Americans. WAKE UP AMERICA. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO GO AROUND. EVERYONE MUST PUT INTO THE SYSTEM FOR THE SYSTEM TO WORK. If we keep going in the same direction, there will not be an America. Illegal means illegal. There must be consequences for breaking the law or there is no deterrent and it will continue at alarming rates.
• Posted 10/08/09 by T.S.
  I aggree with jeff and T.W. these people crossed the border illegally and should not be able to get away with that. I am not saying you should put them all in a prison and forget about them, but c'mon you can't catch them sneaking over and say "Ok, you crossed the border, please go to court tomorrow for breaking the law." Honestly do you think they would really go? No. They really shouldn't be held like that, but that isn't an exuse to get automatic citizenship or another chance to sneek into the U.S. again. I would get the same treatment if I broke the law so why should ilegal aliens be treated better?!
• Posted 10/08/09 by jerry
  if they don't have papers send them back we can't take of our own . and our tax dollers are going for nouthing but illagles the government needs to stop this.any way it can!!!!
• Posted 10/08/09 by T.W.
  These are all horrible stories of human tragedy. But I can't help but ask - why is America responsible for these people? Why does their personal, family life tragedy become an excuse to cross into America illegally with the intent to remain and take advantage of social services and taxpayer money? I don't think it does. It's a tragedy, not an excuse to be here.
• Posted 10/08/09 by jeff
  This is a liberal attempt to cause sympathy for criminals. All mexicans who cross the us border illegally are criminals. If I feel like breaking the law the authorities arrest me and incarcerate me. What is the difference if they are mexican children, they are still criminals. The LEGAL american citizens have spoken and said loud and clear that they do NOT want these people here, yet they are still here taking jobs U.S. citizens should have. If we do not act we are condemed to a fate worse than death, becoming a minority in our own land.
• Posted 10/08/09 by IDC
  Boo Hoo these people broke the law. no its not fair to the children, but one it is not our responsibility to pay for them. two they are all saying it was so bad were they were from and thats why they fled well then how the heck can they complain about anything that texas has done for them oh thats right they werent given steak dinners and didnt have college professors teaching their kids classes. and clothing who cares what your wearing as long as you have clothes on your back. Too bad so sad ive been through my own hellish nightmare and didnt get an 1/8 of the help
• Posted 10/08/09 by Bernadine Stanfield
  I feel sorry for theis familys, But when American's don't or can't get justice, who or where or what country can we run to get help or justice, we have lots and lots of abusese familys, american familys who can't even get welfare or medical. and lest of all we have homeless american familys, There is something very very wrong here. when immigrant familys, get more justice and public asst. and justice for their familys, Help those who lives are in danger, But when do we draw the line. as long as the children are with their parents and have a roof over their heads and are eating. and are safe. then we as a country are giveing to the least of them. Read Romans' on what god says about man made laws and God's laws.
• Posted 10/08/09 by asonjack
  America is a big reason why people don't want to stay in Mexico. We will send jobs to Mexico but don't pay worth nothing. When we send the same job to Canada, we pay the same wages as we receive. I think we should offer oppurtunity for the good students of Mexico border area come study in USA like a study abroad program. Not open to anyone but the qualified students.
• Posted 10/08/09 by steve
  YES IT IS SAD TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO CHILDREN, BUT IF THE U.S. GOV WOULD DO ITS JOB AND NOT REWARD ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION , THIS COULD BE GREATLY REDUCED . THE US CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT TAKE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WANT A BETTER LIFE . OVER POPULATION IN THE US AND IN THE WORLD IS DESTROYING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE ALREADY ON THIS PLANET.WE CAN,T FEED EM DON,T BREED THE CHILDREN . THE CHILDREN WILL HAVE A LIFE OF POVERTY AND SUFFERING, STOP MAKING BABY,S, STOP THE OVER POPULATION., WE ARE USING UP ALL THE RESOURCES, WE ARE KILLING THIS PLANET, STEVE
• Posted 10/08/09 by J S
  They should be making sure all borders are with the same detention centers. I am of Mexican heritage but my family was here before the State of new Mexico was a state. However, I find it wrong that our southern states are no longer for the English speaking Americans. You try to get a job and you have to know another language just to work. Most of the cars I see in southern California are with Mexico license plates. Up north I see British Columbia/Canadian license plates. You go to the Welfare office and in the south it is filled with Mexicans, in the north it Ukrainians. None of which speak English. They have all come here for free medical, food...while the regular American has to be told too bad we have run out of money for assistance. I feel bad for those who think that we are such a rich country but we aren't. And as for political assylum from Mexico? Aw comeon!! They have brought their violence up to us. Send them all back, free up the job market, assistance from the states, AND Social Security!! Give me a break on all the excuses they come up with. What about the rest of us who have paid into the system? We are told that there isn't any monies left to give us back.
• Posted 10/08/09 by Laura
  This is a terribly sad situation. However, these parents have put their children in harms way by crossing illegally. I am aware of the conditions in Mexico and both Central and South America that these children and families face. That being said, the law is clear about entering the US illegally. Having to provide care, support, and a safe haven is financially breaking the United States and infringing on our own citizens rights. Our schools are failing, our government is near bankruptcy. We are not in the position to continue to take in immigrants. In addition, many of these women are seeking asylum from domestic violence. When did that become a condition for seeking asylum? It also states that all of the interviewees cried during their interviews. What did they expect? Perhaps we should put them all up at the Four Seasons and give them a shopping allowance for new clothing. Or perhaps the individuals demonstrating to "Close Hutto Down" should volunteer to take these families in until their immigration status is determined. If they do indeed shut this facility down, these people WILL end up on the streets. Can you imagine these families living on the streets? This is clearly a difficult situation with no palpable solution. In closing, how much is all of this costing the taxpayers in the State of Texas? It's simply unfair to impose taxes to fund this. Should Hutto open its doors and allow them to leave?
• Posted 10/08/09 by Sissy
  I feel sorry for these families, but I am not responsible for them. I don't want my tax dollars spent housing them. I don't want them in America- they have already proven they are not law abiding. They should focus on changing the laws where they live. America can not accept every person who wants to live here. Life is hard.
• Posted 10/08/09 by ray
  There are thousands of sad stories told every day. The ones I listened to hear are no doubt just as sad as any other. However, we as a country can not be the caretakers of the world any longer. If we allowed everyone in who wanted to come here (without going through the proper channels), none of us would be able to enjoy any quality of life at all. I am quickly becoming numb to these stories and the excuses these law breakers use. All we ask is that they do it the proper way. If they will just use the system that has served us so well for all these many years, then we will all welcome them here. But I will not accept anyone climbing over the fence that borders our country anymore than I would accept them climbing over the fence that surrounds my yard. There is absolutely no difference.
• Posted 10/08/09 by Mistrmil@aol.ocm
  Stop babying them and taking forever to evaluate their cases..JUST SEND THEM BACK...No more deals...No crying OVER THEIR BEING WOMEN & CHILDREN.....No more catering..!!!..Back to their Country..NOW..!! AND..tell them to stop having babies..GEEEZ..they breed like cockroaches..!!
• Posted 10/08/09 by Man5tyl
  It should be that no matter if you are born here or whereever your baby ( children ) are citizens of the country of your parents origins. You can not feel sorry for people who know that they are breaking laws comming here ,bringing young kids with them. They are the one's responible for their kids and are to blame for what happens to them. Take care of your kids and stay in your owe country.quit blaming every one else for your mistakes. If your country is so bad ,get together and find away to make it better. Don;t come to the States we have enough problems with out people comming here ...
• Posted 10/08/09 by joe
  These people from Iran are a complete separate issue than the people from south of the border. No resemblance to each other
• Posted 10/06/09 by Ronald Olson
  why would any parent allow thier kids to come with them in a illegal activity like crossing a boarder , charge them with child endangerment, after all that is why they are here , they created there problem thereselfs, what happens to you or me if we brake the law ,they are no better than us
• Posted 10/06/09 by benisma
  I find some of these comments really,really, well uneducated. First of all, If you have never lived in some of these countries, don't pretend you know what these families have gone through. There are a lot of countries out there that women don't have any rights when it involves their husbands. they have all the rights, so yes, they just might have to leave the country to escape an abusive husband, and what does it say about you that you judge whether someone is here legally by where they are from, just because her mother is from Honduras, she must be illegal. Why don't we send them back, people looking for help shouldn't be automatically turned away, it sounds to me like its a human rights issue.
• Posted 10/06/09 by Patrick
  It is a sad situation, but we cannot take in everyone that wants to come to the United States - half the world would be here. The woman from Honduras fleeing a bad marriage was seeking her mother's house, who was probably here illegally as well. I am with the other poster, let's house AMERICAN homeless in these hotels and nursing homes and deport these refugees faster. Stop the ability of these people to drop anchor babies here and then we will see a dramatic drop in that strategy. I grew up in El Paso, on the border with Mexico and our county hospital was overrun with women waiting until they were just about to deliver crossing and delivering in Texas - BINGO - American citizen!
• Posted 10/05/09 by OpenMindedGal
  The problem is why do we house them? Send them back to their countries. Deport them, don't keep them. That's my view. How long before the govt turns against you, and you become the enemy? Children should not be treated as criminals. The Parents, maybe, though I understand why they want to come here, but certainly not the children! Why?? That's my overruling question. Why???
• Posted 09/13/09 by chris
  Gimmy a break,you won't get treated better anywhere on earth,than here....For those who said they are here because of an abusive man,well that's absolute bull####. You had to leave your entire country behind to escape one man????????????/....This is obviously a left wing nut job film.
• Posted 09/13/09 by chris
  Can these people be blamed for coming here?...NO.... Do you feel for them?....YES Nevertheless, a horse can take only so much weight on its' back before it breaks,and Illegal Aliens are breaking Americas' back We can't save the entire world!! America needs to secure our borders,and boot every illegal the #### out. It does not matter if you are brown,black,white,or green. If your country of origin is screwed then do something about it instead of free load of American tax payers...... Also,if you find others countries that treat illegals better then here,then go sneak in over there....good luck....AMERICA NEEDS TO PUT AMERICA FIRST....THEN HELP OTHERS!
• Posted 09/10/09 by starmanskye
  Sadly, too many Americans remain blithely ignorant about the exploitive and manipulative policies and actions that have caused the very economic, social, criminal, abusive and violent conditions most of these immigrants are fleeing from. US policies have plundered hundreds of billions dollars from developing nations that most of these 'illegals' are from, especially Central and South America. Gang violence is a distinct result of America's funding and support for criminal, brutal rightwing despotism and Death Squads, which has been rolled-forward into the 'War on Drugs' multi-trillion dollar boondoggle. American agricultural export subsidies are devestating small-farm producers and small-towns, as diversion of grain into fuel by large agribusinesses increases the cost of food. US has facilitated widespread corruption of Central American politicians through cynical exploitation of the lucrative illegal drug industry. So-called 'free trade' agreements have encouraged border-area industrial zones where workers are are cruelly exploited and abused as it severely discourages more diverse industrial development throughout the rest of the countries. Not to mention how US's mismanagement of US economic investments and unregulated Federal Reserve policies have devestated the global economy causing large numbers of economic refugees. For all the crocodile tears about undocumented aliens having 'broken the law', there are FAR, FAR greater crimes that US politicians and corporations commit routinely that not only injure peoples but devestate their lives and societies, maim and kill huge numbers. Imperialism always creates mostly unacknowledged victims. And did you miss how the warehouse-institutionalization of immigrants as documented here cost 10X more than other alternative programs that were MUCH more humane and decent? Why the emphasis on punishment anyway, that's not going to stop the huge numbers of economic refugees and asylum seekers? Thanks god at least the worst abuses seen here have been corrected.
• Posted 09/08/09 by Yesmina
  Good morning. Take a two-mile walk every morning before breakfast.
• Posted 09/05/09 by TC
  Marcos, what makes you think Americans do not care if illegal Canadians are in our country. Illegal is illegal, no matter what your birth origin is. Your ignorance tells, you must be an alien. You who are here illegally, take our free welfare, free clinics, pay no taxes, cheat our own children out of jobs, and do not give me the BS that only illegal's do jobs our people do not want. I'm tired of paying for your family in my taxes, while the idiot politicians, keep trying to figure a way to get you people to vote illegally. Go home to your country, or apply like ever other alien who is here legally, for a visa. It's what we have to do when we go to your country. What makes you better than we? It has to be your low ethics and morals. America has gone to hell on the backs of all the illegal's in this country. GET OUT, and come back when you are legal and pay taxes, both state and federal. Just because you can spell Marcos, doesn't make you an American.
• Posted 09/05/09 by Kenyon
  Hello everyone. Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing it.
• Posted 09/04/09 by Isolde
  Good morning. I love my past. I love my present. I'm not ashamed of what I've had, and I'm not sad because I have it no longer. I am from Japan and too poorly know English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Bmo mosaik mastercard, the memorial cup merchant was a four security plan with a credit round." ;-) Thanks in advance. Isolde.
• Posted 09/03/09 by Marcos
  Hey Michael, why don't you learn english? You wrote LEAEN ENGLISH, you moron. It's funny how up in arms some folks get about illegal Central Americans and Mexicans but they don't give a #### about illegal Canadian immigrants, although New England and Minnesota are full of them. Must be because they're white, these anti-immigrant forces are racist, plain and simple. Get over it, we're all immigrants here, if they assimilate to our culture then they should stay. One day without illegals here in the US and the American economy would come to a grinding halt. Money crosses borders, investments cross borders, people should be able to cross borders as well. We should be educating and indoctrinating immigrants so they can become as American as possible as quickly as possible, not shunning them and wasting ridiculous amounts of taxpayer money to deport them.
• Posted 08/29/09 by Michael
  Typical with Illegals is that they have difficulty acknowledging they broke the law or tell their children they broke the law. They are a financial cancer in our communities. Employers take advantage of them, they get benefits they are not entitled to by way of false documents. They are committing crimes and don't care. Why should they when if you are deported just wait a month or two and cross back over. THey take jobs away from some people as well. Our immigration process can be better and these Illegals must adhere to OUR LAWS and not whatever they #### well feel like doing. The process should be completed in 18-24 months. If not accepted and you are sent back and you are caught for illegal entry then 10years of jail time might get their attention. They should also take their big mouths and speak up against their own governments wherever they might be from. Don't come here yelling "I have rights" when you won't say boo in your homeland! I wish them well but our system is not to blame. It's the governments, the corruptive governments from which these people come from and THESE PEOPLE, for allowing their governments to act the way they do. Obviously, certain circumstances would allow for certain exemptions to all of this. And in the end, do not USE THE CHILDREN to gain citizenship and LEAEN ENGLISH!
• Posted 08/27/09 by Obeythelaws
  There are legal channels that need to be taken. There are many many people who do go through these legal channels to become legal members of our society. Illegal means just that. They are breaking the law. Do I feel for these people who are coming from bad evil places? Yeah I do. But when they break our laws. It makes me angry. We have laws for a reason. Follow them.
• Posted 08/23/09 by Carola
  So your conscience Patricia must be so at ease because these people who were screwed in their country are no getting screwed as mucch here?? Thats ridiculous to me. This film hopefully will help those who are intelligent and openminded to wrap their head around the fact that many people HAVE to leave their countries to find a better life elsewhere. It comes down to asking yourself: What would I do if i were in poverty or in danger in my country? I personally would opt to LEAVE THE COUNTRY! GREAT FILM! highly recommend it
• Posted 08/23/09 by cindine
  It's good to see women attorneys taking this on. I'm only 10 minutes into the film. I hope they get somewhere. What happened to the immigrant asylum movement that seemed really active in the U.S. in the 80s? I'm in San Francisco where there were non-profit organizations and churches dedicated to this issue not that long ago. They all seem to have changed their focus so they could get whatever federal funding being handed out at the moment: job training for welfare "reform," or youth, or transgender, or green recycling or whatever. If it's fizzled out here I had thought it must really be nonexistenet elsewhere. But maybe that's the wrong way to look at things. We're just some breezy little town far away from the heartland or as the stenciled words on the sidewalk said the other day "Asylum City for the Rioh." This town often seems more concerned about silly things like the "rights" of people who practice sadistic sex practices than about those who are truly at the bottom of the pile. Hey, I know, since there are so many people here who say they love that sort of thing, they could trade places. Send the bondage fans to Hutto prison. That would create more than enough vacant apartments for these families to enjoy life in San Francisco. But seriously sisters, good work.
• Posted 08/23/09 by Cindine
  It's good to see women attorneys taking this on. I'm only 10 minutes into the film. I hope they get somewhere. What happened to the immigrant asylum movement that seemed really active in the U.S. in the 80s? I'm in San Francisco where there were non-profit organizations and churches dedicated to this issue not that long ago. They all seem to have changed their focus so they could get whatever federal funding being handed out at the moment: job training for welfare "reform," or youth, or transgender, or green recycling or whatever. If it's fizzled out here I had thought it must really be nonexistenet elsewhere. But maybe that's the wrong way to look at things. We're just some breezy little town far away from the heartland or as the stenciled words on the sidewalk said the other day "Asylum City for the Rioh." This town often seems more concerned about silly things like the "rights" of people who practice sadistic sex practices than about those who are truly at the bottom of the pile. Hey, I know, since there are so many people here who say they love that sort of thing, they could trade places. Send the bondage fans to Hutto prison. That would create more than enough vacant apartments for these families to enjoy life in San Francisco. But seriously sisters, good work.
• Posted 08/23/09 by n8whit
  Still don't feel sorry for anyone in this film. We cannot be the place where everyone runs to from their abuse back home. We have to take care of our own.
• Posted 08/21/09 by Patricia
  Our Tax Dollars pay the Boarder Patrol & Immigrations to keep our citizens safe. They should appreciate that they are housed in a clean & safe Fascility, together. The is more humanitianism than they would find anywhere else.
• Posted 08/21/09 by Patricia
  Do any of those people realize or are they informed that they could lose custody of their children for Endangering the Welfare of a Minor?! That the adults could be sent to a Regular Prison Environment, & the children be sent to Foster Homes or back to their country to anyone who claims to be a relative of the children!!! Instead of Thanking G-d that bthey are in a decent Fascility,...they try to make the US Immigrations feel guilty & exploit religion to do it!! How conscencious can a person be who drags their small children with them through the desert?
• Posted 08/21/09 by KrisRaah
  Children in prison for any reason at all is the sort of bs 3rd world countries would think appropriate! This makes me NOT want to be an American. Seriously this globe this PLANET was thriving here long before humans ever decided to carve it up in territorial wars. Who the hell are we to carve such selfish standards and sit in committee meetings trying to justify human cruelty! Karma Karma Karma people
• Posted 08/19/09 by Lester
  Ghee They all seem to have a wonderful reason why they left. Domestic Violence, Sexual Assult. These are things their local government would have taking care of. But No! They want to come here for free food,housing, clothes, medical care. They all seem to have a horrible story about the place their staying. I can't understand how a 2year old knows they are in jail let alone what jail is. Unless the parents tell them what to say or they never really said it. It sickens me to see how far these people will go to rip off the American tax payer. All because they're lazy and want a free life. Why should our children sacrafice so their children can have better especially in our own country. Let them stay i theirs and get an education. You don't see us running to their homes demanding free educations. We seperate families everyday. American families at that. People go to prison and have to leave their children all the time. What makes these people different? If bleeding heart liberals want these people supported, them support them with your own money. Don't make people who don't want them here have to pay. Especially when some people would rather spend their money on their own children and not those of law breakers. The poor Iranians who were deported are telling their Canadian child what to say. Why would Canada deport them knowing what could possibly happen? Why are these people crying when they have a Free place to live, Free food to eat and most likely free medical. Is it really worse tham what they are running away from. If I was being abused at home I'd be glad to be anywhere but home. It seems like sanctuary. How pathetic are these people. I say ship them home. The video showed where the facilities had poor house keeping. Don't people realize that most of these illegals are not good house keepers anyway. Some legalized citizens I know from Mexico are Filthy house keepers. Those Iranians are funny. They want to destroy America by any means availible but at the same time want rights in America. I noticed that during this entire video there was no counter point to the issues. It was all one sided. As far as all Americans are immigrants I beg to differ My family being here in the states for 474 years means we are not immigrants but founders and creators of a nation. It was not created for people to come here a leach off hard working people who are working to make it better. People are not entitled to what someone else has because they don't have it.
• Posted 08/19/09 by Lester
  I'll be glad when they put an end to Anchor Babies. I also think we shouldn't be housing them in a place like Hutto or any other detention center. I think they should all be put on a bus and shipped to Mexico. If they're not from Mexico then they can find a way to get to whatever country they belong. America clearly isn't it. America can't afford it anymore.
• Posted 08/19/09 by lester
  Maybe we should let Americans starve so illegal immigrants can prosper. I say put them all out. Let them take all that hard work they put into crosing the border into making their home county better. Why should they be allowed to prosper on what we built when they themselves have done nothing for themselves exccept steel from us.
• Posted 08/15/09 by steve
  I love this quote from a commenter: "...the underlined message to take from this though is the criminalization of immigrants and the "illegal" classification...inherently leads to a practice of dehumanization." i feel like this film treaded too lightly on showing some *answers* to the question of whether it's right to detain immigrants. i would've liked to see some opinions and arguments against the practice. Everyone already knows the thin arguments against it: "because they broke the law!!". Well, should crossing the border without sitting in bureaucratic legal limbo for a decade, or ####### an marrying an american be something you should go be imprisoned indefinitely for? even if, for arguments sake, it's the most awesome prison ever?! I thought it was almost hilarious how they took down the barbed wire only after i'm sure every news station used imagery of it for story intros. Then how the homeland security guy and the prison's warden(?) sat at the press conference proudly claiming the fact that they were sued and lost had little to do with their improvements to the facility. I guarantee that place will be back to prison status by the end of the year if the ACLU and THE PRESS aren't up their asses about it.
• Posted 08/09/09 by semiza
  Richard: When you see your kids facing possible starvation, guilt takes a backseat. Just place youself in their shoes, Did you hear the Iranian couple, they wanted to go to Canada, they were tortured in their own country, should we just ship 'em back to Iran ?? Or the woman fleeing from the machete weilding dad. Makes me glad to have been born in this "Christian" country with nice people like yourself Richard
• Posted 08/06/09 by Joyce
  President McAleese of Ireland speaking at the World Forum on Early Care and Education in Belfast said this in June 2009 . . . “We can promote the vigilance of neighbours, friends, teachers, health care and social work professionals who interact regularly with children, so that the space for people to wreck those children's lives is closed down. We are wiser today about the many ways that children's lives can be helped or hindered and they are no longer a voiceless constituency. But they still need champions and advocates to promote their interests and protect their potential. The advances we make here in terms of understanding childhood and getting the most from it will benefit not just the children of this island but of the world, for information shared is not information halved; the mathematics are the reverse. We get one go around with our kids. Engrave well and their little lives have a chance to blossom as they should. Engrave badly and the scars last a lifetime.” THANK YOU - Vanita, Michelle, Barbara, the makers of this film and all involved in this struggle - for standing up for the children.
• Posted 08/01/09 by dorian
  yes their are immigrants is anybody really shock theirs been immigrants since the time UNITED STATES was born on every generation of your familly theirs been immigrants and hate bye thoes who think AMERICA should be left alone the way it is but its easy to forget their contribution to the UNITED STATE either by the immigrant or their sons son they forget AMERICA would be totally different then what it is today they should realized people who come to this country is not to steal MR. SMITHs job away but gift their soul and mind to the greatest country in world contribute to the advancement of AMERICA in world history show the world what LOVE,COMPASSION,FORGIVNESS,GOOD ATTITUDE,HELP can achive in human nature the mold for future generation to use I wish my grand kids see a better AMERICA then what am seen right now!
• Posted 07/28/09 by Richard
  It would be interesting to know what these parents would have said, had they been asked if they felt any guilt for having decided to come to the USA illegally and subjecting their kids to such a misfortune. Why didn`t the interviewers ask them? Epic fail, I would say...
• Posted 07/17/09 by Mo
  We are a country of immigrants. We need to find a way to embrace people that come here seeking a better life and willing to work hard to share in the American Dream. You must ask yourself what it says about our great nation when we put children in detention. Hatred and intolerance do not serve any of us. Truly we must seek to care for the least among us.
• Posted 07/13/09 by Kathleen
  What is wrong with you people? Just because there are other problems in our country you think that the treatment of children, just because they are from another country is not important? I am disgusted.
• Posted 07/12/09 by TARA
  These people shouldnt complain--in their countires they would be dead--or sex trafficked--or homeless. They live better than the homeless in NYC. These places are better than NYC homeless shelters-- And if I was illegal in another country they wouldnt care what happened to me or my children. IT IS THE PARENTS FAULT THEY ARE INCARCERATED--THEY ARE THE ONES WHO NEED TO TAKE THE BLAME--AND THE CHILDREN ARE THE VICTIMS OF THEIR PARENTS ILLEGAL RESIDENCY. I DONT FEEL SORRY FOR THEM--TAKE A LOOK AT THE CHILDREN IN THEIR COUNTRIES--STARVING--RAPED AND TORTURED. THIS ISNT THE WORST PROBLEM FACING CHILDREN TODAY.......
• Posted 07/12/09 by jo
  1. I feel bad for them 2. At least they have a roof over their heads and food, while they await the legal process. They could be on the streets or suffering in the country they came from.
• Posted 07/07/09 by Thera
  Hi guys. It had only one fault. It was kind of lousy. I am from Marino and now teach English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Our sexuality is not always obvious! Happily, we can now turn to the internet to find and meet up with other lesbians in our area." Thank you very much :P. Thera.
• Posted 05/28/09 by Angie
  May God forgive us! Thank you for all of your work on behalf of these women and children. I think this is a deeply rooted problem in our society. Why in heaven's name would we call a woman and her children a criminal who is here because she is escaping death, torture, and her children's death and torture? Why do we make that illegal? I don't understand that at all. What happened to "give me your tired your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free..." What happened to love? Thank you for illuminating this struggle. I so much agree with what you said that the way we treat immigrants is a reflection of the values of our country. We are all immigrants...we are all brothers and sisters. Thank you!
• Posted 05/22/09 by Chris
  Thank you for this film. I think the underlined message to take from this though is that the criminalization of immigrants and the "illegal" classification that is applied to them inherently leads to a practice of dehumanization. They are dehumanized in that their stories and their pleas are ignored. They are lumped into one category of people that have not actually done anything wrong and they are put in this category arbitrarily. When you watch this video various stories come out and they show just how many people...families are detained in prison like situations with only having the offense of escaping a very dangerous situation in their previous country. What is important to remember here is that these actions are human nature. If the roles were reversed, we would be the ones looking to escape those situations...we would be the ones looking to improve the lives of ourselves and our families...and we would be the ones that would be subjected to such conditions for simply acting in that nature. It reflects a certain lack of human dignity in the entire system that we currently have. As immigrants, particularly those without documentation (but even those with as people are also coerced in various ways to do things in order to prevent losing that documented status, like temporary work visas being taken away when someone loses their work sponsorship) seek simply to live and to love and to work without unjust harassment and being treated like criminals, they are put into a status that prevents that from happening. A status where the fact that they are good people with loving families that would be very productive members of society is ignored, and a status where people lose any real legal standing. Their voices are silenced in many ways because people hear the word illegal and that is all they want to hear...that is all they care about. In addition, immigrants have no real recourse when their human and consitutional rights are being violated. That is why it was so easy for people to ignore what was happening in this facility. My point in all this is that we need to go a step further and ask ourselves if this system that arbitrarily criminalizes people for human nature is okay? Will it inherently lead to continued violations of human rights and the constitution as I have argued? Can such a system ever truly reflect the human dignity that we think it should and is it worth sacrificing our own sense of human dignity to allow it to continue as is?
• Posted 05/15/09 by Aglaia
  I, on the other hand believe that this film educates us about the dehumanization of undocumented immigrants in these hidden facilities that we otherwise wouldn't know about. It challenges us to reflect on all the ethical contradictions of our government (under the Bush administration) that consistently professed "family" values. The facilities and treatment of the detainees too closely resembled familiar images that left me feeling deep empathy and pain as well as shame about this country that was founded by immigrants. Without all those involved in this film no change in laws would have been considered and the families would continue to endure without a voice.
• Posted 05/15/09 by Ayelet
  This film was a real eye opener. What goes on in that detention center does not reflect the ideals I hope this country always holds. There are better, mare humane and cheaper ways to process undocumented families than locking them in jail.
• Posted 04/22/09 by Michelle Frankfurter
  Ah, the simple mind offers its simple, predictable, Fox-inspired analysis, full of the predictable grammatical and spelling errors, as if the opinions expressed weren't proof enough of your level of mental retardation. It's interesting how closely your opinions resemble farting.
• Posted 04/17/09 by chadk
  Wow kj - At least i can agree with you about one thing - we do have enough poor, unskilled people "that where (sic) born right here". I would also add "illiterate, uneducated, and xenophobic" - you might want to look those up in a dictionary. I also love that you ended your comment with "Peace".
• Posted 04/17/09 by kj
  This is simple. These people women,men,and children are there because they had no right to be here.If they are fed and safe quit with the pity crap. This country needs its tax dollars and dollars period to stay afloat. All of these self involve women should shut up and worry about saving the state of the country they live in and quit with this stuff about treatment. Everyone looked healthy. It is not right for us to worry about these illegals. Worry about us. Selfish yes but its is also the freaking truth.It is not our job or duty to make sure these kids have lunchables,skateboards,and a quality education save that for our kids you fools.And there are plenty here without it.If you dont like it go to there countries and fix them so they dont want to saturate our country with more poor unskilled people we have enough that where born right here. peace
• Posted 04/10/09 by Alex
  wow...well... James posting from 4/9/09... you can really tell by your writing style which part of the country you live in... and more so, the lack of exposure to diversity. I feel for you... b/c if I too lived in my own little town, where progressiion doesn't occur very rapidly, I too would be an ignorant, selfish and uneducated person like yourself. Here's a sign for you... Get out from underneath your rock!
• Posted 04/10/09 by Nelson
  Wow - James and Jao sound like some really unhappy and hateful people. Americans aren't out of work and on the streets because of immigrants - Americans like James and Jao are disadvantaged because they are ill-educated, illiterate, and xenophobic - they blame their own failings on those members of our society who are least able to defend themselves. Jao is right about one thing - America isn't perfect, but lots of people do want to be here. And that's because America is the land that says to the world - "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
• Posted 04/09/09 by LC
  The new world order is a label that narrow-minded hypocrites would like to hold on to for comfort, to shield themselves off with for their lack of will, faith, and tolerance. Selfishness is the core of your bubbled existence and your self-proclaimed righteousness. That's what makes you human. You're as imperfect as an unpolished stone, as imperfect as our democracy that gives everyone opportunities and still somewhat helpless in stopping corporations from exploiting them, and as imperfect as your compassion to see beyond what you only care to know.
• Posted 04/09/09 by james
  You know if they never came here then they wouldnt be in the facility. I know, why dont we take care of our own how bout that. maybe now if they have an unpleasant time here when they came and they are not aloud then good, maybe they will stay where they belong. And where do you think we should put the children ? Wait i know send them back because they are children and there parents brought them. Get real
• Posted 04/09/09 by jao
  America is disintgrating and it is half wits such as yourselves that act as the Joseph Goebbels of the new world order.The U.S.A. should tell the rest of the world to take a hike and take the U.N. with them. While we coddle illegals and let their offspring crowd our schools and emergency rooms more and more Americans sleep in the streets. Either present some balance in your selection or move to Venezuala and help your pal Chavez shut down yet another newspaper. You people are solidly entrenched but even a dog can dislodge a tick. America isn,t perfect yet I note everyone wants to be here.
• Posted 04/07/09 by chad kelly
  lilia - did you even watch the film? nobody in this facility has been accused or convicted of any crime. some have crossed the border illegally, but many came to the border and asked for asylum. these aren't drug smugglers or criminals - they are children and parents. as for homeland security agents...there's not a bad word said about them in this film - the issue is whether our government should be putting innocent children (no matter where they are from) in a prison building. ignorant people make judgments without knowing the facts - watch the film.
• Posted 04/06/09 by lilia
  You are so biased. Show the good and bad effects of illegal immigration . It seems like you are projecting the Homeland Security agents as the bad guys whereas these agents are risking their lives protecting our borders and what about you showing how these illegals smuggle drugs to the US through our borders? I am not against illegal immigration but against illegals who cheat the system and commit crimes.
• Posted 04/02/09 by Elliot
  mkveasey - if you had watched the film, you would know that no one detained at Hutto is from Mexico - undocumented Mexican citizens apprehended in Texas are deported directly back to Mexico - they DO NOT GO TO HUTTO. The children and their parents in Hutto are from all over the world (OTHER THAN MEXICO).
• Posted 04/02/09 by mkveasey
  ITS UNFORTUNATE BUT MEXICO IS AN OIL RICH COUNTRY, WHY ARE THESE ILLEGAL MEXICANS EXPECTING TO WALK INTO AMERICA AS IF CROSSING ALINE INTO HEAVEN WHERE EVERYTHING IS FREE, I WAS BORN HERE AND THEY EAT AND LIVE BETTER THAN I,A WOMAN THAT HAS NO HUSBAND 4 CHILDREN,NO JOB,NO SKILLS PROBABLY HAS NO BUSINESS RAISING EVEN 1 CHILD.... WHAT DID MEXICO HAVE TO OFFER THESE PEOPLE,PRENATAL CARE? 3 MEALS A DAY?SHOWERS? A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP?... MEXICO ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN, AND AMERICA YOU BETTER DEPORT THEM,LOOK AT CALIFORNISTA,THATS NOT AMERICA STOP IT BEFORE ITS TO LATE.
• Posted 03/30/09 by Diana Dominguez
  Timely, educational and heartbreaking; a must see documentary on the whole issue of detention facilities, the shameful aftermath of ICE raids. Where is our humanity? Now is the time to put pressure on our politicians and the Obama administration to immediately stop the ICE raids and 'intelligently' review the controversial detention facilities and the insidious mantra "Immigration Detention For Profit."
• Posted 03/30/09 by cindy
  thank you for all you do, the film is good
• Posted 03/30/09 by Marcy (producer)
  To Kelly V: "What can we do to continue the fight against facilities and practices like these?" Advocates such as Michelle Brane from the Women's Refugee Commission advise contacting Obama administration officials, U.S. Senators and Representatives, and Janet Napolitano to express your view on family detention. If ICE fails to enact change, the most likely source of change will be legislative. You can also consult advocacy organizations such as the Detention Watch Network. We've provided links to a number of such organizations on our website: www.theleastofthese-film.com. "Why was the one woman let out on bond?" When the University of Texas clinic began to represent families at Hutto, ICE refused to grant bond to any families, even though they qualified for release on bond under immigration laws. Ana Mabel was released on bond after clinic students took her case before the immigration judge who granted her bond. Under the settlement, after establishing a fear of persecution, ICE now grants bonds to many detained families. However, the process takes at least several months and some families cannot afford to pay the bond amount. "What will happen in August 2009 after the settlement expires?" ICE has now adopted standards for family detention, which are better than what was in place when the facility first opened, but less stringent than the requirements in the settlement agreement. The ICE standards are “guidelines” only and are not legally enforceable, and there is no mechanism for external monitoring or oversight.
• Posted 03/28/09 by Eric
  This is restarted how, is it that our tax dollars are better spend incarcerating people, that are trying to create a better life for themselves in a place that is more conducive to support a productive life and having a greater opportunity for those less fortunate. They in fact could be paying taxes instead of burdening other tax payers!! Often the difference between compassion and suffering CHOICE!! The people that have power are only there because of opportunity. Why not give others opportunity and education rather than use fear and incarceration so that they can live life rather than hate life and chose to destroy it.
• Posted 03/28/09 by linda schmidt
  Hopefully it will not take another lawsuit to ensure the facility maintains the improvements after the settlement expires. It is still hard to imagine that children need to be detained.
• Posted 03/28/09 by Robert Maassen
  These facilities are owned by the Bush family. They should be illegal. At $30,000 to $40,000 per prisoner per year. It is criminal and should be stopped.
• Posted 03/28/09 by Kelly V
  What will happen in August 2009 after the settlement expires? What can we do to continue the fight against facilities and practices like these? Why was the one woman let out on bond? I want to know more please.
• Posted 03/26/09 by judy shepherd
  The title of this film is so appropriate--wish I had thought of it. I was mesmerized and so surprised when it ended. I am not usually that focused. Thank you over and over again for this perfect film. I knew it would be good, but it is better than that.
• Posted 03/21/09 by walker
  Bobby, so am i to understand that you are Native American? If not then by your definition, you have no more right to live in this country than any of the women seen in this film. It has nothing to do with being a bleeding heart. It's about understanding that basically we're all the same-interlopers-thieves-offspring of people who saw something they wanted badly, felt that they were somehow justified, so took it by force-destroying a nation. What makes your being here any different than theirs aside from the length of time it has been since your family arrived in America. It's about remembering that your family probably immigrated here from some other country, raised a family on a small plot of land that was more than likely brutally stolen from the rightful, native owners. We have not earned the right to blame or judge-none of us.
• Posted 03/21/09 by sage
  Right on Bobby. If they did enter this country illegally, then they did break the law Lucy whether they or you see it as breaking the law or not-It's called Illegal Entry...But the way they crossed the border was a fairy tale for them compared to the way they are housed and treated at hutto, i'm sure. What about that, did that affect the children in any way? Whatever there mentality is when they entered Hutto was a cause from that impact I am sure and so who is to blame for that? The parents. And where is the footage from the residents like Nena, who want to report the positive side of Hutto? But like Mrs. Hines in the video asked Kevin if he was going to write a book, I'm sure Mrs. Hines is enjoying the publicity she is getting from all this. People still need to be held accountable and so these parents must remember they are at Hutto due to a decision they decided to make for whatever reason. Should we just let everyone and anyone enter the country just cause they want to? If you want to come to the U.S. then what makes some people think they can enter illegally without going through the whole legal process like others do? There may not be a solution to this problem, b/c we would have reached it by now. But at least Hutto is trying to keep the families together....
• Posted 03/21/09 by lucy
  a response to bobby - I would suggest you educate yourself about asylum seekers which each character in the film was. You cannot ask for asylum before your reach American soil. So they didn't break the law.
• Posted 03/20/09 by bobby
  the focus of this docu. should be the terrible judgment of the parents. am i suppose to feel bad for people who didnt apply to enter this country legally? am i suppose to feel bad for the majority of the people interviewed who needed to have there story told with subtitles because they dont speak english but think there children would have been better off had they entered undetected? somehow i dont think the kids would be living a fairy tale with there non english speaking parents who arent qualified for much more than a dishwasher or maid if they can find work "llegaly".at least the hutto facility provided there basic needs as far as schooling what would they be doing in an american classroom besides being confused and possibly learning english as a second language but yet this film attacks learning conditions at hutto. snap out of it these parents are criminals they commited a crime! as parents you need to put your childrens best interest before "everything" period no excuses. apply for a "working visa" whatever it takes do it the right way and if thats not available then explain to your kids were going to keep trying until it is because im not going to put you at risk. to the pregnant woman who couldnt get more food didnt her mother live right in Texas,she couldnt give her commisary money? no that would look bad for the documentary and the lawsuit right? im usually not so opinionated but im tired of the bleeding heart BS you people make me sick. the money wasted on this film couldve been used to tell people in the honduras iran etc... to come here legally or face the incarceration of your "WHOLE" family.charity starts at home check the living conditions in any major cities housing projects tell me how education and nutrition is for "OUR" people. please respond
• Posted 03/19/09 by Nena
  I was resident in the T. Don Hutto in taylor texas, i was there for 5 months, n honestly i just can complain about the long time i'd to be there. I left the facility on 12/31/08. my son went to a school inside the facility, i still ve the homeworks he did there, he learn english, substrations, the school was better than the other one he went in our country. they'd trips every month to the movies, to skate, to eat pizza, parks, i've pics where u can see is true. Parents spend day in the facility, we can make some works if we wanted, like cook in the kitchen, clean, i used to work in the comisary, is like a store we can buy some snacks n beauty suplies, we ve a gym, with bikes, n walkers, a big yard we can use during 8.30 am until 8.00 pm. skates classes, aerobics everyday, CCA people was very kind n friendly, i just ve to make a complain against 2 ICE officers. we've food, medicines, i saw people with different food cause they were on a diet. Pregnated went to doctors out of the facility every month n take all vitamins they need. we've catholic n evangelic church every week. Inside the parts kids've 4 playstations with 4 small tv n every month Mr. de la Rosa (CCA officer) asked the kids wh new games they wanted, also dvd movies, they've toys, we've 2 TV in each part. Movies in the gym on friday's night. birthday cake everymonth. we'd a lot of activities there like talent show, futball n basketball games, parents day. All the parts were painted with bright colors in my part all the walls ve nemo's pics all around. They asked residents wh kind of food we wanted in the menu. people arrived with dirty clothes n no shoes, n in the facility they give them clothes, shoes, new underwear. Our family can send us money, clothes, books, shoes. We've a computer lab with internet we can in the afternoon cause in the morning kids used it. babys ve dippers, pampers, n baby's food. inside the parts we ve a refrigerator with lot of milk, cookies n fruit for everybody, we also ve juice n water. free soap, shampoo, powder,deodorant, comb, tooth brush n tooth paste, lotion. we make a line in the dinning room just cause we were so much people. we ve psicolgist, doctors, nurse, staff make a meeting in the part n teach people about healthy things every week, kids were supervised by psicologist. thanks Mr. De la rosa, Mrs diane V, Hampton, Torres, Holys, Griffin, Mr. Hernandez, Mrs chong, n all the staff there.
• Posted 03/19/09 by Barbara
  In response to Pamela's questions, there is one other facility located in Berks Pennsylvania. It is licensed and run by the County and is a former nursing home, rather than a former prison. After the settlement, there is no provision for outside monitoring and Hutto is still remains an unlicensed facility.
• Posted 03/18/09 by chadk
  Well if DISGUSTED had been inside T. Don Hutto then that makes him/her either an employee of CCA or the government as no one else has been allowed inside. Call me crazy but that makes his/her credibility suspect for me. It's amazing to me that CCA and ICe have such incredibly thin skins and can't stand to have the light of day shone on their operations - if, as DISGUSTED claims, "Most families are thrilled to be in a safe environment", then you would think ICE and CCA wouldn't have struggled so hard to keep Hutto a dark secret.
• Posted 03/18/09 by Disgusted
  It's such a shame that this film takes up valuable space on the world wide web. I have been to T. Don Hutto Residential Center and can honestly say that the information portrayed here is inaccurate and extremely exaggerated. It's interesting that only a few (3-4?) families commented on this video.... what did the other families have to say? Most families are thrilled to be in a safe environment. I would also like to note that no family HAS to stay there. They can always return to their home country if they choose to. Expedited Departure is available to all of them. If they stay to fight a case, it is by their own choosing. (If it were half as bad as the film claims, I doubt many would be sticking around.)
• Posted 03/18/09 by cfcamerica
  The largest industries in America now are these... Prisons, Jails, Government and Sex...... Citizens for Change, America http://www.cfcamerica.org
• Posted 03/17/09 by Pamela Ray
  This is a powerful film. It opens the eyes of Americans like me who had no idea of the Hutto facility, nor the conditions that families were forced to bear. When we entrust the care of children to military style, 'for profit' private organizations, we take one step back from our humanity and lose a degree of our collective compassion. We should be ashamed. Many thanks to the ACLU for stepping in and demanding changes in that facility. What happens after August, 2009? Is there any provision that will allow government review for compliance after that date? Are there others facilities like Hutto in other parts of this country?