Don’t Tell Anyone follows the story of undocumented immigrant Angy Rivera and her family as she comes out to the public as undocumented. Against the wishes of her mother, who is also undocumented, Angy proudly displays this part of her identity while helping other undocumented immigrants deal with life and the issues that arise. As she faces the challenges of being undocumented in America, Angy also admits to the public that from the ages of 4-8 she had been a victim of sexual violence from her step-father, adding another layer to the adversity she experiences in life. The audience sees that Angy is not just defined by the label of “undocumented” or “victim,” but is rather a fully complex human being.
This humanizing of Angy is key to the message of the documentary. Don’t Tell Anyone is a very personal story about Angry, her family, and the challenges they face in life. A majority of the scenes we see are direct interviews with the Rivera family and shots of them living everyday life. The documentary does not portray them as simply statistics; rather, they are deeply humanized and relatable. We see that the Rivera family is just as human as any other family with lives full of complications, excitement, and love. The viewer can’t help but feel empathy for Angy and her family, and their message is heard.
- For statistics on undocumented immigrants, see http://www.migrationpolicy.org/data/unauthorized-immigrant-population/state/US
- For more information about the laws protecting undocumented immigrants from sexual abuse, see https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-options-victims-crimes
- To read “Ask Angy,” see https://www.nysylc.org/ask-angy/