Living Undocumented is a powerful and compelling docu-series from Netflix that premiered in 2019. The show follows the lives of eight undocumented families as they navigate the challenges and hardships of living in the United States without legal status. The series was created by Aaron Saidman and Eli Holzman, the team behind the critically acclaimed Scientology documentary series, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.
The families featured in the show come from different parts of the world and have different backgrounds and experiences. Some of them have lived in the United States for many years and have established families and careers, while others have only recently arrived and are struggling to make ends meet. All of them, however, are facing the constant fear of deportation and the separation from their loved ones.
Living Undocumented is a deeply emotional and personal series that provides a humanizing portrait of the undocumented community in the United States. Through candid interviews and intimate footage, the show explores the hopes, dreams, and fears of these individuals and their families. It also shines a light on the many injustices and hardships they face on a daily basis, from workplace exploitation to discrimination and harassment.
One of the themes that emerges throughout the series is the complex and often contradictory nature of the immigration system in the United States. The families featured in the show are often caught in a web of confusing regulations and bureaucratic red tape, making it nearly impossible for them to obtain legal status or permanent residency. This is compounded by the current political climate, in which many undocumented immigrants are facing increased scrutiny and deportation.
Another aspect of the show that is particularly impactful is how it highlights the impact of family separation on the lives of undocumented immigrants. Many of the families featured in the series have children who are U.S. citizens, and the prospect of being separated from them is a constant source of anxiety and fear. Living Undocumented does an excellent job of illustrating how the threat of deportation not only affects the undocumented individuals themselves, but also their families, communities, and loved ones.
One of the most powerful episodes of the series centers around a father who is facing imminent deportation and the devastating impact it will have on his family. The episode expertly weaves together interviews, footage of the father's court proceedings, and emotional moments with the family as they struggle to come to terms with the possibility of losing their husband and father. The episode is a stark reminder of the immense human toll of the immigration system in the United States.
Overall, Living Undocumented is a thought-provoking and deeply affecting series that is well worth watching. By shining a light on the experiences of undocumented immigrants in the United States, the show provides an important and timely exploration of a highly politicized and controversial issue. It is a call to action for viewers to consider the human stories behind the headlines and to advocate for a more just and compassionate immigration system.
Living Undocumented is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between October 2, 2019 and on Netflix