Documentary Focuses on Arpaio and Arizona Immigration Law
Updated: Wednesday, 11 Apr 2012, 6:13 PM MST
Published : Wednesday, 11 Apr 2012, 6:13 PM MST
Andrew Hasbun
By ANDREW HASBUN
FOX 10 News
PHOENIX - Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's tough illegal immigration enforcement and the struggles of a young girl are the subjects of a new documentary.
The film, "Two Americans" is making its debut this weekend. It profiles a little girl born in this country and her illegal immigrant parents who were arrested, along with Arizona's controversial immigration law that's divided our state.
The documentary is four years in the making and it's coming out now, right in the middle of the Sheriff's issues with the Justice Department and just two weeks before the Supreme Court takes up SB 1070.
The filmmakers spent countless hours following the Sheriff, the little girl and her family.
After a 2009 raid, 9-year-old Katherine watched her parents being arrested on television. The filmmakers were there with her. Since then, she has traveled to Washington and testified on Capitol Hill.
"I think it really brought it down to earth. These are the people that are being impacted by the laws and policies that we have here in Arizona," said filmmaker Valeria Fernández.
The two went with the Sheriff to places many in the media rarely go, catching some candid moments at events across the valley. The Sheriff has seen a preview.
"If that documentary could do anything to get Congress or people to do anything to look into this, to get the problem resolved using me as the poster boy," said Arpaio. "I'll be glad to take the hits if something good can come out of it."
But the Sheriff does take issue with the other star of the documentary. He believes the little girl was used as a political pawn.
"She is, you know, guided by certain people who don't like what I am doing on illegal immigration, so it is sad to put a young girl before the cameras to try to make a point," said Arpaio.
The filmmakers believe the documentary presents both sides of the issue fairly.
"Two Americans is a chance to look at what happens to Latinos living in Phoenix as a result of the laws passed here in Arizona," said filmmaker Dan DeVivo.
"We want to bring people who are on the fence closer to the issue..we want the film to introduce them to the subject and bring them closer to making a decision," said Fernandez.
The little girl's parents are still in the country awaiting deportation proceedings. The film debuts at the Arizona International Film Festival this Friday in Tucson.
The Sheriff and some of his aides have been invited, but Arpaio said it's unlikely that he will attend.
Documentary Focuses on Arpaio and Arizona Immigration Law | "Two Americans"
