CHIRLA Liberty Film, led by CHIRLA ED Angelica Salas, is the Executive Producing Organization behind the award winning Know Your Rights film series; three cinematic resources that focus on empowering audiences with rights information and insights into the undocumented immigrant and mixed status family experience.
The first in the series is video “Know Your Rights/Conoce tus Derechos.” It has been regarded as the standard bearer for rights curriculum training nationwide showing how immigrants can protect themselves when confronted by ICE or law enforcement. The “Know Your Rights,” video features Know Your Rights Cards and viewers can print these from the website or make their own. To this day millions of migrants use the Know Your Rights card to present to authorities as a mode of self-protection and a way to keep attorney information on hand.
The second in the series is a short film, "America; I Too." "America; I Too" educates immigrant audiences on how to proceed in the event of arrest and deportation, while delivering a moving story with relatable characters for non-immigrant and immigrant audiences alike. The twenty minute short film stars Academy award nominee Barkhad Abdi and CHIRLA members.
Our final film is the narrative feature "America's Family;" The story of the separation and reunification journey of the Diaz family and the extraordinary support they receive from the community on both sides of the border. "America's Family" is now in educational and mainstream distribution after winning multiple film festival awards. The script is also part of the permanent collection of the Margaret Herrick Library, the main repository of print, graphic and research materials of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
OurProjects
America’s Family
On Thanksgiving Day ICE comes to the door and tears the Diaz family apart. Each family member braves their way through the crisis while discovering unexpected reserves of love, faith, and community inspiration on their journey to reunify.
America; I Too
This fictional short film shares the interconnected stories of three arrested and detained immigrants who navigate the broken system as they attempt to prevent their deportation from the country they call home. The film is based on real testimonies and experiences.
Know Your Rights/ Conoce Tus Derechos
CHIRLA’s Know-Your-Rights video is one of our most effective tools to show millions of families how to protect themselves when immigration officials come to their homes or workplaces. Its message is current even today.