The U Turn (2017) -the third documentary in Luis Argueta’s immigration trilogy narrates the transformational journey of the immigrant workers who broke the silence about the abuses they endured at the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa and the community that would not abandon them. The film showcases the U-Visa, an immigration relief part of VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) in much need of dissemination and understanding by immigrant workers, immigration rights-advocates and law-enforcement.
Postville, Iowa is where most U visas have been obtained for victims of violent crimes -including child laborers- in a workplace context. A total of 179 U visas were obtained for workers and their families. This was the result of a courageous group of women and child workers losing their fear and collaborating with authorities in reporting their aggressors, while receiving invaluable community support.
In the current climate among migrant communities in the United States, the ghost of fear has resurfaced. Fathers, mothers and children, even the 4.1 million American child citizens (with at least one undocumented parent) experience the daily terror of being separated. One of the main consequences of this daily fear is that many victims of violent crimes are afraid of authorities and are opting for keeping silent and not denouncing their aggressors.
The U Turn (55 min. Audiences: high school and above) is an educational, awareness and advocacy tool about the reality of migration, the rights of migrants, the remedies available to them when denouncing any crime of which they are victims and of the crucial importance of community support and solidarity. The importance and timeliness of this film are indisputable.
"The U Turn arrives at the perfect moment ...
presents us the human stories behind statistics
and myths about migrants."
Catalina Horak
Directora Ejecutiva, Building 1 Community
Stamford, CT