HIAS CHICAGO TO HOST SCREENING OF DOCUMENTED AUGUST 6 AT NORTHBROOK COMMUNITY SYNAGOGUE Documentary Explores Immigration Reform

HIAS Chicago will host a special screening of the film, "Documented," on August 6 to help raise awareness of immigration reform.

The screening, hosted by the HIAS Chicago Board of Directors, will begin at 6 p.m., at the synagogue, located at 2548 Jasper Ct., Northbrook. The film will be followed by a discussion.

Documented, is the story of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas who outed himself as an undocumented immigrant in an essay published in New York Times Magazine in 2011.  Documented chronicles his journey to America from the Philippines as a child, his journey through America as an immigration reform activist and his journey inward as he re-connects with his mother, whom he hasn’t seen in person in over 20 years. On July 15, 2014, Mr. Vargas was taken into custody and then released by the U.S. Border Patrol. 

The views and opinions expressed in this documentary are solely those of the individuals portrayed and the producers of the project and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of HIAS Chicago or its board members, said Board President Irena Persky. “We do support the sensible and humane reform of our nation's immigration system and believe the film facilitates an open dialogue to raise awareness of issues surrounding the immigration debate in our country,” she said.

 This discussion is particularly timely in light of the President’s recent announcement that he will be using his executive power to make potentially sweeping changes to the nation’s immigration system without Congress. Congress has stalled on enacting legislation to address the status of 11 million immigrants here illegally.

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The film will be followed by a discussion.

Date: Wednesday August 6, 2014

Place: Northbrook Community Synagogue, 2548 Jasper Ct. Northbrook, Suggested Ticket Price: $18

For more information and to buy tickets, please visit http://www.tugg.com/events/10472

For more than 100 years, HIAS Chicago has served those in need of assistance, helping Jewish people and others from all over the world come to America. HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) Chicago is a leader among agencies in our community assisting people through the immigration process, resettling them in a new country, and getting on and staying on the path to U.S. citizenship.