The Least of These

Click below to watch The Least of These.






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.

Berkshire Immigrant Center Presents Meeting on Comprehensive Immigration Reform

The Berkshire Immigrant Center will sponsor a community meeting on the current status of immigration legislation and Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The event will take place on June 18^th from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the First Baptist Church, 88 South Street, Pittsfield, MA. The event is free, and immigrants’, advocates, and the general public are invited to attend.

President Obama has made it clear that he is committed to enacting comprehensive immigration legislation during the early stages of his presidency. The meeting will present facts about the current immigration landscape, offer legislative updates, and focus on proposed facets of immigration reform including increasing the number of available humanitarian and non-immigrant visas, family reunification, Border Security and enforcement policies, the Dream Act, AgJobs, and a legalization program that will provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.

The meeting will be presented by Marcony Almeida, Director of Organizing, at the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). This is a great opportunity for immigrants, immigrant advocates, and interested community members to gather, learn, and address ways to work together to help fight for practical solutions that benefit us all and are rooted in the restoration of the rule of law, earned citizenship, united families, and fair treatment of workers.

“There is no doubt that our current immigration system is not working for American citizens, permanent residents, and the undocumented and their families. We need Comprehensive Immigration Reform that is just and fair and addresses all sides of the issue – economics, enforcement, security, but above all family reunification and humanity,” stated Hilary Greene Director of the Berkshire Immigrant Center. “We invite the public to learn about proposed legislation, dispel myths, and rally their support.”

The Berkshire Immigrant Center assists individuals and families in making the economic, psychological and cultural adjustment to a new land, not only by meeting basic needs, but also by helping them to become active participants in this society. The Center provides citizenship assistance, immigration information, advocacy, referrals and counseling to the growing immigrant communities in Berkshire County.

For more information please contact the Berkshire Immigrant Center at (413) 445-4881 or info@berkshireic.com.