Activists discover immigrant children are being detained in a former medium-security prison in TexasThe Least of These explores one of the most controversial aspects of American immigration policy: family detention. As part of the Bush administration policy to end what they termed the “catch and release’” of undocumented immigrants, the U.S. government opened the T. Don Hutto Residential Center in May 2006 as a prototype family detention facility. The facility is a former medium-security prison in central Texas operated by CCA, the largest private prison operator in the country. The facility houses immigrant children and their parents from all over the world who are awaiting asylum hearings or deportation proceedings. The facility was initially activated with little media attention or public knowledge. Soon, however, immigration attorney Barbara Hines was contacted by detainees seeking representation, and she became increasingly concerned about the troubling conditions there. She joined forces with Vanita Gupta of the ACLU and Michelle Brané of the Women’s Refugee Commission to investigate conditions and seek changes. Their efforts were initially hampered by a lack of openness and oversight within the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) organization. Undeterred, the three attorneys attempted to bring about changes in both policy and conditions, by making their findings public, encouraging involvement by activists and the media, and ultimately by filing a historic lawsuit.
As these events unfold, the film explores the government rationale for family detention, conditions at the facility, collateral damage, and the role (and limits) of community activism in bringing change. The film leads viewers to consider how core American rights and values – due process, presumption of innocence, upholding the family structure as the basic unit of civil society, and America as a refuge of last resort – should apply to immigrants, particularly children.
 The Least of These
Release Year: 2009 Duration: 62 min Availability: Worldwide Related: History, International, Politics, IndiePix The Least of These explores one of the most controversial aspects of American immigration policy: family detention. As part of the Bush administration policy to end what they termed the “catch and release’” of undocumented immigrants, the U.S. government opened the T. Don Hutto Residential Center in May 2006 as a prototype family detention facility. The facility is a former medium-security prison in central Texas operated by CCA, the largest private prison operator in the country. The facility houses immigrant children and their parents from all over the world who are awaiting asylum hearings or deportation proceedings. The facility was initially activated with little media attention or public knowledge. Soon, however, immigration attorney Barbara Hines was contacted by detainees seeking representation, and she became increasingly concerned about the troubling conditions there. She joined forces with Vanita Gupta of the ACLU and Michelle Brané of the Women’s Refugee Commission to investigate conditions and seek changes. Their efforts were initially hampered by a lack of openness and oversight within the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) organization. Undeterred, the three attorneys attempted to bring about changes in both policy and conditions, by making their findings public, encouraging involvement by activists and the media, and ultimately by filing a historic lawsuit.
As these events unfold, the film explores the government rationale for family detention, conditions at the facility, collateral damage, and the role (and limits) of community activism in bringing change. The film leads viewers to consider how core American rights and values – due process, presumption of innocence, upholding the family structure as the basic unit of civil society, and America as a refuge of last resort – should apply to immigrants, particularly children.
Directed by Clark Lyda and Jesse Lyda Produced by Marcy Garriott , Clark Lyda and Jesse Lyda Director of Photography and Co-Producer John Fiege Editor Amy Foote The Least of These Blog
Posted 08/06/09 by Marcy Garriott
The Obama administration announced on August 6 that it will overhaul the nation’s immigrant detention system. One immediate change: the government will stop sending families to the T. Don Hutto Residential Center, the former medium-security prison near Austin, TX that is the subject of “The Least of These.” This outcome is … More >
Posted 07/13/09 by Marcy Garriott
Last month the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2010 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security (H.R. 2892). The accompanying report to the bill stated that the Appropriations Committee… ...believes that detention is not generally appropriate for families and is concerned that the Department does not routinely make Alternatives … More >
Posted 05/13/09 by Marcy Garriott
Many thanks to SnagFilms for connecting us to the Center for American Progress, which hosted a standing-room-only screening on May 11, with a panel discussion hosted by new VP for immigration Angie Kelley. The level of energy and engagement in DC is extraordinary right now. Click HERE for a link to … More >
Report a Technical Issue If you're having any difficulties viewing the film or have any playback-related technical questions, contact us using our general feedback page.
Comments Posted 11/08/09 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
|
advertisement
Recommended Films Like This
Dream in DoubtA Sikh American faces and confronts hate crimes, xenophobia, fear and deep loss in the wake of 9/11 Watch Now > 
Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal WarsFollows the story of Texans fighting against the construction of 18 coal-fired power plants Watch Now > Support This Film’s Cause
Take This Film With You
advertisement
|
|
SnagFilms: About Us | Team | News | Press | Filmmakers | Privacy | Terms | Report Abuse | Feedback | MovieMatcher
|
