Indivisible is a high-definition, feature-length documentary film about the real people at the heart of our nation’s immigration debate. Renata, Evelyn, and Antonio were young children when their parents brought them to the U.S. in search of a better life; they were teenagers when their mothers, fathers, and siblings were deported. Today, they are known as Dreamers. Indivisible takes place at a pivotal moment in their lives, as they fight for a pathway to citizenship and a chance to be reunited with their loved ones. Frustrated with the stalled legislative process, the trio take matters into their own hands and petition for a special waiver that would allow them to leave the U.S to visit their families—and legally return. With the future of immigration reform uncertain, the three do not know if their trips are a once in a lifetime experience, or the beginning of true family reunification.
Renata Teodoro was six years old when her mother brought her and her two siblings to the U.S. from Brazil in search of a better life. When Renata was 18, immigration officials raided her family’s home, detaining her brother and promising to return for her mother. Within two years, her entire family had returned to Brazil to avoid certain deportation. Renata is now 27, lives in Boston, and is still undocumented. When filming began, she had not seen her mother in more than six years.
Photo by Samantha Sais for The New York Times (www.samanthasais.com).
Evelyn Rivera was three years old when her family fled Colombia to escape drug-related violence, including car bombings and kidnappings. She grew up in Orlando, Florida with her parents and two U.S.-citizen sisters. When Evelyn was a senior in high school, her mother was arrested for driving without a license. After months in detention, Evelyn’s mother was deported. Now 26, Evelyn remains undocumented. When filming began, she had not seen her mother in nearly six years.
Antonio Alarcon was raised by his grandparents while his parents traveled throughout Mexico and finally to the U.S. in search of work. Antonio joined his parents in the U.S. when he was 11, but his younger brother stayed in Mexico because the border crossing was too dangerous. When Antonio’s grandparents passed away, his parents faced an impossible dilemma: leave one child alone in the U.S. or leave the other alone in Mexico. They ultimately decided to "self-deport" and return to Mexico. Now 20, Antonio lives in New York City and is still undocumented. When filming began, he had not seen his parents in two years.