‘Borderland | The Line Within’ Screens at Rosendale Theatre

This year, as part of their 11th annual film screening, Amnesty International’s Mid-Hudson chapter hosted a fundraiser for the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network (UIDN), screening the documentary, “Borderland | The Line Within.”

Amnesty International is described as “a global movement of more than 10 million people who are committed to creating a future where human rights are enjoyed by everyone.” Their Mid-Hudson chapter hosts events like  annual film screenings at the Rosendale Theatre and Write for Rights letter-writing campaigns. The Ulster Immigration Defense Network, founded at the start of President Donald Trump’s first term, serves Ulster County’s immigrant community with the mission of “[providing] a network of safety and support to immigrants, regardless of status.”

Directed by Pamela Yates and produced by Paco De Onis, “Borderland | The Line Within” follows the journeys of two immigrants navigating the U.S. immigration system, either living with undocumented statuses or knowing people who were undocumented. The film “not only exposes the profitable business of immigration and its human cost, but weaves together the stories of immigrant heroines and heroes resisting and showing a way forward, intent on building a movement in the shadow of the border industrial complex, recognizing the human rights of all,” according to Skylight Productions website.

Amnesty International screened the film on March 8 at the Rosendale Theatre to a sold-out crowd of over 150 attendees. Prior to the screening, Mario Rincon performed a live acoustic set as guests were greeted by members of UIDN and Amnesty International. The front lobby had two tables set up for each organization. Amnesty International provided stickers, informational pamphlets and postcards to send to the president’s office. UIDN provided their business card, volunteer sign ups and red cards courtesy of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

Coordinator for Amnesty International’s Mid-Hudson chapter Diana Zuckerman revealed that unlike previous fundraising events in the theatre, the organization decided to spotlight one organization rather than multiple. By finding a local organization that fought for immigration rights, the group wanted to emphasize the importance of immigration in the current political climate.

“We chose [UIDN], because they are doing direct action. They are direct support and direct action in supporting our local immigrant neighbors,” Zuckerman said.

Prior to the film, members from the UIDN, Amnesty International and the local community spoke to the audience, sharing their perspectives and goals for this event and the fight for immigration rights beyond. A translator from Amnesty International made  Spanish translations of each organizer’s speech accessible to non-English speakers. Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha attended the screening to offer her support for the film screening and her perspective as Rosendale’s assemblyperson.

“We have two things working against us, which is bad polling on immigration from people across the board, which is making legislators very scared, and we have a reluctant governor,” Shrestha said. “That’s why I’m gonna ask you to change and push today.” She promoted three pieces of legislation: the New York For All Act, the Dignity Not Detention Act and the Access to Representation Act. 

“[The movement for immigration rights] didn’t start today,” said Jennifer Estrada, community program manager of Amnesty International USA. “We know that it’s been going on for years and led by incredible community-based organizations like UIDN, but we’re in a moment where we also know that we need to double down. It’s an urgent moment for our local communities and for our country.”

Estrada continued, “We want to create a country where all people’s rights are respected but also to ensure that our neighbors are not living in fear, that we can come together as a community and raise our voices to say this is what we value. We value welcoming communities; we value all folks’ human rights; we value the idea that someone can move to a place that feels safer, that feels like it has more opportunities and be welcomed into that space by their members.”

“The fact remains that this nation is a melting pot,” said Stephanie Kristal, staff member of UIDN. “Immigrants have always been and are the backbone of our economy and our country. Immigrants bring richness of culture, food, language, traditions and diversity to our communities and at this time are some of the most vulnerable among us.”

After the film screening, the event featured a panel of four guests — Yates, De Onis and two UIDN-affiliated community members — as part of a Q&A section in response to the documentary. An organizer from Amnesty International prepared preliminary questions before the guests turned towards the audience for remaining questions.

“We started the film during the first Trump administration, and one of the things I was really moved by was organizations … of people living in the United States and finding a different, more creative, encouraging way of welcoming immigrants into the United States,” Yates said. For Yates, creating the documentary was a way to combat immigrant victimization stereotypes, opening up space to spotlight immigrant leadership both within themselves and within their organizing efforts.

“This gathering today, it’s the ideal gathering for us filmmakers who are also activists, because we get to talk all together after the film, and we get to decide on an action,” she said.

In addition to screening tickets, the event also featured a silent auction. Gift cards, merchandise, wellness services, paintings, collectibles and other items lined the tables — all donated from local businesses throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley. Some local New Paltz businesses that contributed include Barner Books, Pho Tibet, Verde and P&G’s. Proceeds from the auction went towards the Ulster Immigration Defense Network.

“We’re all working really hard to make sure that people feel welcome and safe here especially in a time like this, where people are blatantly being marginalized and attacked,” Zuckerman said.

“Our goal is for people to feel supported, protected and safe and then to make sure that allies use their voices to stand up and stand with people in solidarity.”