"Thought-provoking documentary that puts a human face to the raging national debate over undocumented immigration and 'illegal aliens'." Kevin R. Johnson, Dean, UC Davis School of Law

José is Oscar's most gifted student. But how do you teach students like José who have no place to do their homework? How do you teach a kid who moves every few months? This is what Oscar is up against every day. Oscar not only teaches his students reading, math and science, he gives them access to a world beyond their reach.

But José was born in Mexico--and he's on the cusp of understanding the implications of that. As we watch this play out over three years, we begin to understand the cruelty of circumstance--for José and the many millions of undocumented kids like him.

EAST OF SALINAS asks, What is lost when kids like José are denied opportunities?



Grade Level: 7 - 12, College, Adults
US Release Date: 2016     Copyright Date: 2015

Reviews "I cannot think of a more timely intervention than this moving, humanizing portrait of a child, his family, and his teacher. East of Salinas illuminates not only the struggles and hopes of undocumented immigrants, but also the problems of a nation whose policies divide families and limit the opportunities of our youth...This film will spark many conversations and insights." Kevin Kumashiro, Dean and Professor, School of Education, University of San Francisco, Author, Bad Teacher!: How Blaming Teachers Distorts the Bigger Picture "When a committed teacher is there for these children, something magic happens. An intimate look at how education is transformative for the children of those who harvest the food we all eat every day, this film is a must see for parents, teachers, and policy educators. Every Parent Teacher Organization across the country should be screening this film at their schools." Gonzalo Bacigalupe, Professor of Counseling Psychology, Director of Family Therapy Program, University of Massachusetts "A thought-provoking documentary that puts a human face to the raging national debate over undocumented immigration and 'illegal aliens'...It tells of the unsung heroes in our schools, such as dedicated teacher Oscar Ramos, the child of farmworkers himself, who now works to help his students, the children of farmworkers, achieve the American dream." Kevin R. Johnson, Dean, UC Davis School of Law, Co-Editor, ImmigrationProf Blog, Author, Opening the Floodgates? Why America Needs to Rethink Its Border and Immigration Laws