Draft:Undeterred

Undeterred is a documentary that delves into the community resistance in the rural border town of Arivaca, Arizona. Set against the backdrop of significant historical events such as NAFTA, 9/11, and the administrations of both Obama and Trump, border residents find themselves at the forefront of a humanitarian crisis spurred by heightened border enforcement. The film offers an intimate and compelling portrayal of how the residents of this small rural community, ensnared in the complexities of global geopolitics, have rallied together to assert their rights and extend aid to individuals who often find themselves injured or dying after traversing the harsh desert wilderness.

Directed by Eva Lewis, a resident of Arivaca and a longstanding member of People Helping People in the Border Zone (PHP), Undeterred was created in close collaboration with the Arivaca community and PHP members. The documentary sheds light on the impact of the "Prevention Through Deterrence" strategy, which seeks to control undocumented migration by making the journey increasingly perilous and costly. This strategy, implemented through the construction of walls, surveillance technology, and the concentration of Border Patrol agents in urban areas, aimed to divert migration traffic away from safer routes into what officials termed "hostile terrain."

However, rather than deterring migration, funneling people into the desert wilderness has only exacerbated the risks, leading to countless deaths as individuals face the treacherous journey far from aid or rescue. Despite the grave dangers, undocumented migration continues to occur en masse through the desert, highlighting the failure of using the desert landscape as a deterrent. Undeterred serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of border communities and the urgent need for compassionate and just immigration policies.