As a mother of two beautiful children, I was deeply disturbed by the events portrayed in the documentary “Separated.” The idea that any government would intentionally inflict pain and suffering on innocent children is beyond comprehension.
In the documentary “Separated,” Oscar-winning filmmaker Errol Morris investigates the Trump administration’s strategy of employing cruelty as a means to deter illegal immigration, which was implemented through the policy of separating children from their families. The film is based on the book “Separated: Inside an American Tragedy” by NBC News journalist Jacob Soboroff and centers around former employees of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). They recount how political hostility and strong anti-immigration sentiments led to a human rights crisis that continues to have lasting effects.
Given that Trump and his supporters in the executive branch are likely to regain influence, it’s crucial not to view Separated as an isolated issue. With immigration being one of the top two concerns for American voters after the economy, the public outcry against family separation policy had minimal impact on those who perceive immigration as a significant threat to America’s existence. Therefore, the film will be assessed based on its educational value and artistic quality, followed by arguments from both sides, including the controversial viewpoint that harsh measures are necessary to control an influx of undocumented immigrants estimated at over 11 million people.
Morris (The Thin Blue Line, Fast, Cheap & Out of Control, The Fog of War) opens with a vocal montage of former presidents swearing to clamp down on undocumented immigration. Donald Trump is then seen at a boisterous 2015 campaign rally promising to “build a border wall” to enthusiastic supporters. Nearly nine years later, Trump’s Democratic opponent in the Presidential election advocated for a similar policy, one of many strategic and moral errors in Kamala Harris’ campaign.
Exposing the Men Who Made the Cages
Morris presents Jonathan White, who served as the deputy director at ORR (Office of Refugee Resettlement) previously. He highlights that for many years, the U.S. government prioritized keeping undocumented children with their families. Unaccompanied minors who crossed the dangerous border on their own were handled and subsequently reunited with their relatives residing in the country. The primary objective was to ensure that CBP (Customs and Border Protection) would not hold a child for more than 72 hours, if feasible. It was understood that housing children in shelters or institutions could be distressing. The practice of releasing those caught at the border, often referred to as “catch and release,” was considered essential for their welfare.
As a devoted cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: I believe certain key figures in the Trump administration were the masterminds behind the dramatic shift in strategies, setting the stage for their covert actions. They subtly established the ideological foundation before secretly executing their plans.
- Stephen Miller — a senior Trump advisor and rabid xenophobe, now Trump’s incoming Homeland Security advisor and the deputy chief of staff for policy.
- Tom Homan — former Acting Director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), now the incoming “border czar.”
- Jeff Sessions — Trump’s Attorney General from 2017 to 2018.
- John Kelly — Trump’s Chief of Staff from 2017 to 2018, who would later call Trump a “dictator” with a fondness for Adolf Hitler.
In 2017, I and my colleagues at ORR became aware that something wasn’t right when children, even infants, were intentionally separated from their parents after being detained by CBP. However, this was repeatedly denied by superiors despite it being blatantly obvious to those of us who were responsible for their care.
Errol Morris Continues His Mastery of Documentary Styles
As a movie enthusiast, I’m the one who skillfully blends real-life events with captivating narratives. Instead of interviews, I weave in three compelling visual elements to my storyline. The audience encounters a fictionalized portrayal of Gabriela (played by Gabriela Cartol), a 28-year-old woman from Guatemala, and Diego, her young son, as they embark on a perilous journey through the “northern triangle” towards the US-Mexico border. The animation, set to an intense violin melody, amplifies the sense of danger.
In its second part, the Separation issue intensifies emotionally due to the government’s falsehoods and evasions concerning child separation being met with widespread public protest. However, rather than backing down, there was an escalation as a memo by now Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen solidified the policy amidst growing internal doubt about its legality. A flurry of legal disputes ensues as the American Civil Liberties Union’s Lee Gelernt confronts the administration in court over alleged inhumanity, but refrains from labeling child separation as “torture” to avoid fueling further anger and discord in America.
Cruelty as a Tool
Individuals who think drastic measures are justified to halt illegal immigration will show no hesitation. In the film “Separated“, graphic videos and photos of children weeping inside cages, separated from their parents, serve as a harsh reality, powerfully reinforcing Morris’ message. Trump contends that this is the sole solution for deterring the unauthorized from entering. However, White and others strongly contest this viewpoint. People often leave their homeland to escape destitution and violence. America represents hope and possibilities, not a place that punishes the desperate. Abuse of human rights must never occur…but the electorate has made their stance clear in the November election.
Regardless of whether it was apathy, anger, or something else, the Biden administration’s approach to the issue has been strongly criticized, even though they have followed the same course for the past two years. Miller and Tom Homan now have full authority to carry out plans for mass deportations. The administration has made it clear that they are willing to use any method necessary to remove the undocumented immigrants. It is unclear whether child separation will be reinstated, but it seems likely that Biden 2.0 may be more aggressive in this area. This should concern everyone who knows that over a thousand undocumented children are still in U.S. custody. The ACLU’s label of “state-sponsored orphans” could become a historical mark against our country if these numbers continue to rise.
An Unfortunate Use of Fiction in an Important True Story
Morris achieves success by focusing on the facts. They are indisputable and incredibly shocking. However, attempting to evoke emotions with a sensationalized portrayal of an unverified mother and son fails to resonate. His use of dramatized reenactments has proven effective in the past (such as in his controversial masterpiece, The Thin Blue Line)), but here it seems excessive.
While most people agree that some form of immigration control is necessary, whatever that looks like should not include barbarism. Child abuse is an unforgivable evil, no matter the nationality of the child. It can never be condoned and deserves the maximum punishment. Kids should not suffer for the actions of their parents or for the bureaucratic mess our politicians have created. White’s assertion that we risk lifelong trauma to the innocent with child separation is indisputable. He just didn’t need dramatic reenactments to confirm that.
This show titled “Separated” is brought to you by NBC News Studios, Participant, Fourth Floor, and Moxie Pictures. The premiere will take place on MSNBC at 9 PM Eastern Time on December 7th. For more information, click here.
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2024-12-08 00:34