Comprehensive Study Notes: Documented and the Human Impact of Immigration Policy
The Power of Storytelling and the Immigrant Experience
Storytelling is defined as a medium with the power to humanize, illuminate, forge new connections, and inspire action. The film Documented is presented as an exemplar of this power.
Jose Antonio Vargas is recognized as a veteran storyteller who covered pivotal events, including the Virginia Tech shootings (for which he won a Pulitzer Prize) and the race for the White House. His ability involves capturing the essence of a story and making it instantaneously relatable to a broad audience.
The film Documented is described as an immigration documentary "wrapped in a love story." It explores universal themes: a parent seeking a better life for their child, coming to terms with selfhood, and the broader American experience.
Implicit Bias and the "Look Different" Campaign
MTV launched the "Look Different" campaign to address implicit bias, specifically regarding race, gender, privilege, and immigration.
While audiences often recognize overt bias (citing the example of the "Clipper guy"), implicit bias often persists in a "colorblind society" where people lack the tools to discuss race or question their own ingrained assumptions.
The organization Define American, founded by Jose Antonio Vargas, serves as a key partner in this campaign to help humanize the immigration debate.
Demographics and Hidden Realities of Undocumented Citizens
Statistics indicate that of the approximately undocumented individuals in the United States, approximately are of Asian descent.
Specific undocumented ratios include:
One out of five Koreans ().
One out of six Filipinos ().
There is a prevalent stereotype that equates the term "undocumented" exclusively with Latino populations or migrant labor in California. Vargas notes that the media has largely failed to illustrate the full diversity of the undocumented community.
The term "illegal" is frequently and damagingly used interchangeably with "Mexican," leading many Mexican-Americans to feel "under siege" in their own country.
The Film "Documented": Disruption and Strategy
The goal of the film is "disruption"—disturbing preconceived notions about immigration.
Success is measured not by critical acclaim but by the reaction of disarmed audiences. An example provided is a screening at Miami University (a majority-white, conservative school in the district of Speaker John Boehner) where students felt disrupted by the narrative.
The film deliberately avoids "preaching to the choir." It aims to foster connection rather than just communication, avoiding a cycle of mutual blame between political factions.
Vulnerability in filmmaking: Vargas emphasizes the importance of telling one's own story as a minority, embracing imperfections rather than shielding the audience from harsh realities.
Collaborative credits for the film include:
Producer: Matthew Hiek.
Director of Photography: Clarissa De Los Reyes.
Editor: Sabrina Schmidt Gordon.
Collaborators: Ann Lup, Lara Jayon, Maria Lee, Chris Marcado, Rhett D, Rhett Milabs, and Jake Honing.
Insights provided by Janet Yang, producer of The Joy Luck Club.
Family and the Personal Toll of Policy
The name of the production company evolved from "APO Productions" (Apo means grandchild in Tagalog) to "APO anak Productions" (Anak means child) to honor Vargas's mother.
Vargas admits to judging his mother when he was younger because he did not understand her choices. He expresses concern about opening her up to public judgment through the film.
Despite the visibility of his case, Vargas maintains a boundary regarding his mother. Any eventual reunion will be private and not filmed to avoid making a "public spectacle" that might separate his experience from other undocumented families.
Technical barriers for legal entry:
Vargas's mother is currently on a -year waiting list to come to the U.S. legally.
She has been denied a tourist visa twice because she cannot prove enough wealth to guarantee her return to the Philippines.
The U.S. immigration code is described as being as complicated as the tax code, yet it is rarely explained with technical accuracy in the media.
Questions & Discussion
Regarding Race and Class: A participant asked if immigration reform would have occurred sooner if the majority of undocumented individuals were white. Vargas acknowledged that race and class are significant factors, but noted that previous waves of immigrants (Irish, Italian, German, etc.) faced similar struggles. He attributes much of the current opposition to "anxiety" over a changing America. For example, Siler City, NC, shifted from white to Latino in just years.
Addressing Misconceptions: Vargas discussed the question "Why don't you just make yourself legal?" He noted that many people do not realize the law provides no clear path for many individuals. He cited the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act as the reason the U.S. is currently seeing such growth in Latino and Asian populations.
Global Context: When asked by a belligerent individual why there are so many Filipinos in America, Vargas responded: "We're here because you were there," referencing a history of codependency and colonialism involving the U.S. and countries like the Philippines, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Vietnam.
Current Legal Status: Vargas remains undocumented and in a "state of limbo." He admitted in the film to "checking the box" asserting U.S. citizenship on forms, a legal complication that his lawyer, JT Malonga, has had to manage.
Labor and Families: A former union leader from San Diego highlighted the "terror" children face when parents are picked up by ICE. Vargas responded that he does extensive outreach at high schools and colleges ( colleges in years) to build coalitions between student groups.
The Definition of Freedom: Vargas concludes that his quest is not just for "pieces of paper" or legislation, but for the "liberation of people" to be seen as full human beings who are free to move.