Discussion Prompts

STARTING THE CONVERSATION

Immediately after the film, you may want to give people a few quiet moments to reflect on what they have seen. You could pose a general question (examples below) and give people some time to themselves to jot down or think about their answers before opening the discussion. Alternatively, you could ask participants to share their thoughts with a partner before starting a group discussion.

Warm up:

• Did this film generate any new thoughts or ideas or ask you to consider something you hadn't before considered about migration?
• What specific feelings did the film bring up for you? Do you remember what brought that feeling up? Why that particular scene?
• If you could ask anyone in the film a single question, what would you ask and why?
• Describe a moment in the film that you found particularly moving. What was it about that moment that was especially compelling for you?

FACTORS INFLUENCING IMMIGRATION

The reasons for immigrating are sometimes divided into two categories: push and pull factors. Push factors are reasons that compel or push people to leave the area where they reside and pull factors are reasons that attract or pull people to move and settle in a particular area.

• What are some reasons influencing people’s decisions to migrate to the United States?
• What are some of the reasons one may be pushed to migrate from their home country? What are some of the reasons one may be pulled to another country?
• Is the necessity of leaving one's home country always a choice? In what scenarios might a person need to leave?
• Migration is often understood as benefiting the immigrant, but in what ways do host communities also benefit from cross-cultural exchanges made possible through immigration?
• Throughout the 20th century in the United States, there’s been tension between the rhetoric about immigration and the country as a site of refuge. Consider the text on the Statue of Liberty that reads “give me your huddled masses” alongside restrictive immigration policies (e.g., Chinese Exclusion Act of 1823). We are still seeing this tension today: Prevention Through Deterrence reroutes migration away from urban ports of entry into more dangerous wilderness areas, causing 7,000 known deaths and countless more disappearances. As a person living in the United States, how do you reconcile these contradictory ideas for yourself?

Migration as a Journey

• What are the various ways in which people come to the United States?
• In what ways did the film impact how you think about the journey of migration itself?
• What kinds of physical tolls do these kinds of journeys take? What might be some of the emotional, spiritual, or psychological tolls?
• What are some different dangers a migrant in transit might face?
• In what ways is migration into the United States related to policies of the United States? What does this film reveal about this interplay between policy and migration?

Activism and Advocacy

• When have you felt inspired to take action in the face of adversity?
• When have you spoken on behalf of someone who could not do so due to safety or other concerns?
• What are some ways art can be used as a mode of activism, engagement, and transformation?
• When you think about an “activist,” what type of person and/or scenarios come to mind?
• In what ways are Águilas del Desierto advocating on behalf of those who cannot? How would you describe their approach to advocacy and activism?
• Did any moment in the film inspire you? If so, which part?

TAKING ACTION

Here are ideas for you and your community to put your knowledge into action:

• Influence change and legislation by speaking to elected officials about migration policies, immigrant rights, and reform. Call the congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your representative or senators.
• Volunteer with Águilas del Desierto or other organizations involved at the border such as No Más Muertes/No More Deaths, Ajo Samaritans, and Humane Borders/Fronteras Compasivas. If you are not close to the U.S./Mexico border, volunteer with other groups that work on behalf of immigrant populations: Al Otro Lado, Catholic Charities Respite Center, Espacio Migrante, RAICES.
• Take the time to listen and learn. When the opportunity arises, listen to the stories of immigrants, whether that’s through literature, films, or conversations with immigrants in your family and local community. Listen to their stories. Learn about the challenges they face. Reevaluate your beliefs and assumptions.