Deported

In this illuminating documentary, filmmakers Rachèle Magloire and Chantal Regnault put a human face on an American anti-terrorism law that has done more harm than good. Since 1996, convicted immigrants have faced deportation after serving their time. Deported profiles several ex-cons sent back to Haiti, whose family members are still living in the U.S. and Canada. Verlaine and Frantz are new arrivals to Port-au-Prince, while Etzer, Restingo, and Richard arrived over the past 20 years. Verlaine, who comes to Haiti with no money, feels lost, and has no idea how he will make ends meet (his mother sends some money when she can, but won't be able to do so indefinitely). Frantz felt isolated in prison, and now feels isolated in Haiti, although at least he speaks Creole. Etzer and Richard both live hardscrabble lives, but they've found some semblance of community. Still, frustration lingers: Richard feels that he paid his debt to society during his prison time; he saw himself as American, while the U.S. government considered him to be Haitian (and Haitians just see him as a criminal). Restingo, living on the streets, represents the biggest casualty of the lot, although he's hardly alone. Meanwhile, a local shopkeeper complains that all of these deportees are putting a drain on Haiti's already scarce resources. After the 2010 earthquake that devastated the country, deportations ceased, but started up again a year later. Deported makes a convincing case that the practice outlived its usefulness a long time ago. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)