At the Movies: Dreamers Deferred: The American Dream On Hold | Tanaya Safi & Juhie Parikh
Here is a short film on Dreamers:
"The Declaration of Independence established America as a haven for those seeking life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But for over half a million DACA recipients living in the United States today, those unalienable rights remain uncertain.
Dreamer Deferred explores the intersection of American founding ideals and the modern reality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Through the personal stories of Diana Montelongo, a dedicated teacher, and Tomas Evangelista, this documentary examines how DACA provided a "lifeline" of opportunity while simultaneously leaving recipients in a state of legal limbo.
We dive into:
The Spirit of DACA: How the program was born from the same ideals as the DOI, offering children a chance at a future without constant fear.
Personal Stakes: The unique but shared experiences of the 164,000 DACA students in California and the challenges they face due to the program’s limitations.
The Path Forward: The urgent need for permanent, purposeful legislation that honors the American Dream for those who have only ever known this country as home.
Can DACA recipients expect a future where they are truly treated as equal? Or will their American Dream remain on hold?"
Credits
Produced, Directed, & Edited by: Tanaya Safi & Juhie Parikh
Research & Interview Coordination: Tanaya Safi & Juhie Parikh
Narration: Juhie Parikh
Project Manager: Tanaya Safi
Music Producer: Judah Frazier
Photography & Colorgrading Consultant: Kevin Khatri Chhetri
Featuring Interviews with:
Diana Montelongo
Tomas Evangelista
Representative Ami Bera
Cynthia Gomez
Hugo Vera
Kevin Johnson
Special Thanks to:
Ms. May, Mr. Overstreet, and Mr. Lang.
Primary Research Sources:
American Immigration Council
National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
Migration Policy Institute
The Declaration of Independence (Thomas Jefferson)
C-SPAN Video Library
