With the debate over illegal immigration once again heating up let me recommend a movie, with reservations, that gives an idea of what it must be like for many who seek to enter this country illegally. The film is Sin Nombre, and I qualify my recommendation because it's brutal, raw and certainly not suitable for children. Nevertheless, mature viewers will find it riveting.
The film recounts the story of a member of the Salva Maratrucha gang in Mexico by the name of Casper, who wishes to break away from his past and start over in America. His flight from Mexico and the psychopaths bent on killing him is harrowing and the secondary narratives are fascinating. It's very troubling to ponder that this gang, also known as MS-13, has thousands of members in cities across the U.S.
If you're interested in seeing what a lot of people south of the border have gone through to get here, add Sin Nombre to your Netflix queue.
RLC