30 Days Immigration Episode- The Setup

The television reality series 30 days created by Morgan Spurlock (of the documentary Supersize Me) provides a unique perspective on the issue of illegal aliens. The show uses a format fond to people who may not normally get the news, such as college students. Since this topic has recently been under serious debate the show allows people who do not like the news to receive the information in a way which is palatable for them. The protagonist of the show, Frank or Francisco, a Cuban immigrant who came to America with his parents when he was young, is a legal immigrant. It is convenient but necessary to the plot of the show that he himself has gone through the immigration process from a Spanish speaking country so he can relate to and communicate with the family. He joined the minutemen after 9/11 to help guard America against illegal aliens from Mexico which he feels are going to stage a revolution within the country. He states, “It will bring about the dissolution of this country and tear it apart completely.”

Frank is going to stay with a family of illegal aliens namely who have come to America from Mexico in pursuit of a better life. Before meeting the family Frank has a strong opinion on illegal aliens and states, “The only right they have (illegal aliens) is to be deported back to the country they came from.”

Frank assumes their life by working by day with the father, Rigoberto. He is a laborer and does odd jobs around the neighborhood. By night, he lives with the family in their one bedroom apartment which wife Paty, and children Armida, Alba, Karina, and Ricardo share together. He also leaves behind any way of identification to fully appreciate their situation.

Frank works with Rigoberto and this gives him an appreciation for the type of work he is doing for little reward. The family is making under $15,000 per year and Rigoberto is working as a laborer doing jobs that most Americans would refuse. In order to keep their apartment, which is clearly not large enough for their family, Rigoberto also is a handyman for the apartment building. Through this work he begins to develop respect for Rigoberto in that he is a very dedicated worker and is making an honest effort to support his family.

Frank also gets to know Paty, the mother in the family, and her way of contribution. He spends a day with her where they collect recyclables and Paty is able to make about $5 which that goes toward the money she is saving for Christmas. Frank is shocked at how little money will have to provide presents for all four of the children.

Frank’s closest tie is with the oldest daughter, Armida. She is in high school and attempting to go to college. Armida is a good student and also an avid golfer who would give anything to just be a typical American student. Through many discussions Frank comes to truly enjoy Armida’s company and even offers to sponsor her if she decides to go through the process of becoming a citizen.

While Frank is living with the family there is a rally to legalize immigration. Frank attends this rally with the family but is just appalled. He insists that the rally is just a fake and that the immigrants are attempting to have us allow them to come into the country so that they can stage their revolution and take over. He states, “It’s a prop for their cause…if this isn’t the beginning of a revolution I don’t know what is.” He even refuses to take a vigil candle.