Independent Lens Season 11 Episode 17 Lost Souls (Animas Perdidas)

In this episode of Independent Lens, titled "Lost Souls (Animas Perdidas)," viewers are invited to explore the story of undocumented immigrants who have disappeared while crossing the United States-Mexico border over the last two decades. Through a combination of powerful interviews with family members of the missing, haunting footage of death and destruction in the harsh desert terrain, and a deep dive into the political and social context surrounding the border crisis, this episode paints a vivid picture of the human toll that America's immigration policies have taken.

Despite a growing wave of anti-immigration sentiment in recent years, thousands of people from Central America and other parts of the world continue to make the arduous journey to the United States each year in search of a better life. Many of them do not survive the trip, succumbing to dehydration, exposure, and exhaustion in the brutal desert conditions that lie between Mexico and the United States. Those who do make it to the border face new challenges, including the possibility of being detained, deported, or separated from loved ones as they navigate the complicated web of immigration bureaucracy.

Against this backdrop, "Lost Souls" follows the story of several families who are searching for their loved ones who have vanished while crossing the border. The episode explores the human impact of these disappearances, as family members share their grief, fear, and frustration at the lack of information about what happened to their loved ones. Viewers also hear from experts in law enforcement, migration, and human rights, who put the current crisis in context and provide insight into the complex factors underlying the continuing flow of immigrants to the US.

As the episode unfolds, viewers witness the struggles that families face as they try to get answers about their missing loved ones. From organizing search parties to working with immigration lawyers and NGOs, these families are fighting to hold the government and the public accountable for the human cost of the border crisis. In interviews with family members, viewers learn about the hopes, dreams, and challenges that led their loved ones to risk everything for a chance at a better life in America. And despite the heartbreak and despair that many families feel, "Lost Souls" ultimately conveys a message of hope and resilience, as these individuals refuse to give up on the search for their loved ones and push for change in the immigration system.

Overall, "Lost Souls (Animas Perdidas)" is a powerful and moving exploration of the human toll of the immigration crisis, as seen through the eyes of families who have lost loved ones on the perilous journey to the United States. Combining poignant interviews, stunning visuals, and expert analysis, this episode is a must-watch for anyone concerned about the ongoing debate over immigration in America today.