Harvest of Empire

The immigration debate in America is a heated one. It can easily turn a family dinner table into a shouting match. But what often gets lost in all the yelling is the simple fact that immigrants are human beings. Their reasons for coming to our country are often out of desperation and a need for survival. As our leaders argue over how to solve the issue, they often leave out the fact that our past interference in Central and Latin American affairs has directly contributed to the influx of Latinos coming to the United States. Based on the book by journalist Juan González, HARVEST OF EMPIRE investigates how events like the Iran-Contra affair, the training of oppressive militants at the School of the Americans, the Spanish-American War, and America's role in Castro's rise to power forced citizens of those countries to flee to safety within our borders. This documentary goes beyond the surface and reveals a part of the story that's often left out of the conversation. (In English and Spanish with subtitles) – E.F.