The Golden Venture documentary was a riveting story due to the fact that it explored the controversial topic of immigration in a novel way. Although, we are given only brief glimpses into the actual sides of the savage, yet bloodless battles of immigration reform and lobbying, the topic was explored through the detailed recounting of the stories of the passengers on the Golden Venture.  One cannot be emotionless when listening to the horrible atrocities that occurred relating to the Golden Venture—and this is where the documentary succeeds. The viewer, instead of being bombarded with the idea that one side in the matter is correct, is left with ability to make a choice on how they believe we should proceed in these very delicate and sensitive matters.

One of the most appalling discoveries that occurred to me, while watching this documentary, is the fickle manner in which the U.S. handles undocumented immigrants. When the U.S. Government found out about the passengers on the Golden Venture, they were sentenced to prison until their fate would be decided for them. It was here that they lived their lives in purgatory—a state of limbo—where they lived each waking moment in oblivion as to what their fate would be- they had no control over their fate and no idea when their fate was going to be decided. In so many respects, I find this treatment to be inhumane. Human beings desire a feeling of belonging, and when thrust into this type of situation it destroys a person’s a person’s moral and livelihood. Regardless of the government’s decision on granting legal status to these undocumented immigrants, the immigrants involved should not have to be placed in this unfortunate situation. If I was involved in this situation, as either a victim or as a representative of the government, I would wish for the quickest resolution as to the matter of being able to achieve immigration status. The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reads as follows, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation…” Given the aforementioned law, I would hope that as a nation, we would want to extend the same rationale and equality to all people, and abide by a principle foundation of the U.S. Constitution.

It is surprising to me that the same type of controversy still exists surrounding the treatment of immigrants in the U.S. As the passengers on the Golden Venture were subject to discrimination and criminal penalties, immigrants and the matter of immigration are presently still subject to increasing hostility and controversy in today’s culture.  It seems to me that the U.S. should remember the principals on which it was founded and treat each human being with the same amount of decency and fairness, regardless of their immigration status, especially since we are truly a nation of immigrants.