In spite of its designation as a “Sanctuary City”, for many years Philadelphia police cooperated in data sharing with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In the vast majority of cases, the data shared with ICE was about people uninvolved in crimes or serving as civilian witnesses, yet this information often resulted in deportations. With this backdrop, Linda, an immigrant and mother living in the city, seeks aid to bring her mother to The States to attend her wedding. In order to secure a grant, she begins volunteering with the immigrant activist organization Juntos. What unfolds is a transformation from bystander to community builder, and the camera documents it all.
Winner of the Philadelphia Filmmaker Award at the BlackStar Film Festival, Expanding Sanctuary is a personal doc with a mission. It chronicle’s Linda’s mission to bring her mother to her wedding as it begins to take different shapes as other challenges arise. As a personal doc, it’s above average in terms of production, but what really sets it aside is its focus on immigrant culture. Those interested in Latinx immigrant culture in general but especially in East coast cities or Philadelphia will find the most reason to watch Expanding Sanctuary. These glimpses into the everyday lives and celebrations of Philidelphia’s Mexican immigrant community are simple but invaluable, giving viewers an idea of life in the community very quickly and effectively. Being from a town with one of the densest Central American immigrant populations in the country, there were many moments I felt almost at home.
For those interested in grassroots organizing opposing ICE and overpolicing of immigrant communities, Expanding Sanctuary is a must-see. Linda has some very valuable experiences, and the camera catches several large victories for Juntos, elucidating the value of community organizing and the ways it can secede in making change. Consider Expanding Sanctuary most highly for expanding collections about activism. Highly Recommended.