Estamos Unidos

Matthew Echelman

In 2019, an extraordinary influx of Central American families seeking asylum led to nearly one million migrants being apprehended and deemed inadmissible at the U.S.-Mexico border, marking an 11-year peak. Concurrently, migrant caravans emerged in response to humanitarian crises in Mexico and at the border. "Estamos Unidos" (2020), directed by Alvaro Morales, portrays the journey of a migrant caravan from Honduras to Mexico City in early 2019, a pivotal moment in US-Central American immigration policy. This caravan faced government interventions from Honduras, Mexico, and the U.S., aimed at disrupting the establishment of caravans as a new migration route. Unlike prior caravans that received extensive attention and support, this one confronted challenges alone. "Estamos Unidos" gathers migrants' stories, depicting their collective odyssey as a united force contending with internal and external trials. When stranded on a bridge between Guatemala and Mexico due to inadequate medical care resulting in a member's fatal heart attack, the caravan, lacking media protection, welcomed the "Estamos Unidos" filmmaking team. The film documents their struggle against deportation, showcasing their unity, conflicts, resource-sharing, evasion tactics, and joyful moments. "Estamos Unidos" underscores migration's weighty implications and human toll while celebrating the courage of those pursuing refuge and opportunity. Timed with an impending U.S. election, the documentary offers a unique perspective into immigrants who often become targets of anti-immigrant rhetoric by politicians. Alvaro’s personal context as a former DACA recipient profoundly shapes his commitment to "Estamos Unidos." In parallel with his own immigration challenges and inspired by the caravans asserting their migration rights, he believes in storytelling's potential to advocate for immigration justice. This conviction fuels his dedication to projects that spotlight migrant communities' resilience, rejecting narratives of "helplessness.”