Growing Up Illegal: A film about people with no place to call home

“GROWING UP ILLEGAL”* shines a light on an as-yet untold side of the immigration debate: children who grow up in America having being brought here illegally at a young age, only to face deportation when they reach adulthood to a country they’ve never known.

These young people, for all intents and purposes, are American. Many are high-achieving active members of their community, with little or no ties to the country of their birth. But when the time comes for them to apply for a driver’s license, attend college or get a job, they reappear on the immigration radar and face expulsion from the country they call home.

“GROWING UP ILLEGAL” follows the story of some of these young people. People like Gabriel Felippe, a young opera prodigy who despite his immense talent was deported to his country of origin, Brazil, when he tried to apply for an internship in Utah. The film follows Gabriel’s traumatic last three months in America.

It also shines a light on other young people like Gabriel, equally high-achieving and passionate about contributing to American society. The film interviews young illegals, activists, experts and organizations on both sides of the story, including footage of emotional ‘coming out’ parties where young people publicly declare their illegality.

While many angles of the immigration debate have been covered, this film will be the first to tell of these young people caught in immigration limbo – through no fault of their own. With last year’s failure of the DREAM Act, which would have covered young people like Gabriel, this issue will continue to plague both sides of politics through the 2012 election.

The film is in the final stages of shooting, and is seeking backers to enable it to be seen through to completion. The final product will include infographics to demonstrate some of the complexities involved in the issue. Support is needed for costs associated with editing, graphic animation, and production costs.

Partners are being sought to engage with a public campaign around the issues raised by the film, and to ensure an audience is reached as far and wide as possible. There is still scope for editorial direction if you, your foundation or organization wishes to be part of the film’s vision from the ground level. For more information, please contact Bresser de Oliveira at (914) 979 – 0592.

* Working Title.



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