America’s Migrant Birds

RT (2025)

Film Review

https://en.rtdoc.tv/films/2021-americas-migrant-birds

This documentary explores the current crisis in Tijuana Mexico, as the city attempts to cope with ten of thousands of refugees seeking admission to the US or recently deported by the Trump administration. Millions of foreigners are either chasing the illusory American dream (“that they can lively freely and make money from nothing”). Many, after Western destabilization activities have have made survival at home impossible, are prepared to die in their effort. Other are fleeing political violence and organized crime.

Meanwhile many recent deportees, after living and working in the US illegally for decades, are leaving wives and children behind.

Tijuana presently has 30 temporary shelters to help keep migrants off the street. Flamingos, the largest temporary shelter in Latin America, houses about 1,400 migrants. Sponsor by a local religious institution, it relies on the Mexican National guard for security and requires people who leave the shelter during the day be accompanied by a staff. The shelter provides three free meals a day, training and volunteer and job opportunities and arranges for children to attend school. Local churches provide medical exams and legal assistance.

The filmmakers interview former business owners from southern Mexico and Guatemala forced to leave when they couldn’t pay protection money demanded by local gangs. One of them, a woman and former restaurant owner, is waiting for the US political refugee amnesty program to reopen. Another (who lives in a tent on the street) approaches local businesses offering to clean, unload shipments and dispose of garbage. It pays enough to cover food.

They also interview a Russian orthodox priest about Ukrainians deported earlier this year after entering the US illegally. They’re now seeking repatriation to Russia. He also talks about migrants from Congo, Africa and Cuba flocking to Tijuana hoping to gain admission to the US

The Mexico-US border is currently guarded by 10,000 troops on either side. Yet many would-be immigrants can still pay a coyote $15,000-20,000 to find them secluded areas to cross the border. They make no guarantee of success.