Chicago's undocumented immigrants face the harsh realities of living in fear, as revealed through a new documentary that seeks to humanize their experiences. "Shouldering Sanctuary" chronicles the struggles faced by these individuals and communities under federal immigration enforcement operations launched here by President Donald Trump.
Filmmakers Fatima Omar and Ian Resnick have been documenting this chapter in Chicago's history for over 12 months, capturing scenes of Downtown courtrooms, Little Village rapid response teams, and even City Hall. They collaborated with local production company Truth & Documentary, a small team that includes five people, including intern Kieran Stover, Kyra Mitchell, Ysa Quiball, Ben Kolak, Fatima Omar, and Ian Resnick.
To convey the complexities of immigration court proceedings, they worked with courtroom sketch artist Cliff Questel. His drawings provide a dynamic visualization of the events unfolding in these often mysterious spaces. While some scenes are more dramatic than others, Questel's detailed illustrations capture even the smallest details, offering viewers an immersive experience that might be difficult to replicate through traditional documentary filmmaking.
The finished film features interviews with influential figures such as Alderman Andre Vasquez and outspoken attorney Rachel Cohen, who express their support for undocumented immigrants. It also includes footage of community protests against intensified immigration enforcement, a stark contrast to the often isolated individual struggles documented in courtrooms.
To ensure accessibility, clips from "Shouldering Sanctuary" will be available on YouTube and the Media Burn Archive website, while ticket sales are replaced by donations intended to aid families impacted by ICE operations. The screening at Edge Theater in Edgewater offers a unique opportunity for Chicagoans to engage with this story firsthand, as part of the ongoing resistance that has developed against such enforcement.
While the finished film is expected to be completed by spring, its creators are still refining their portrayal of ordinary community members caught up in these high-stakes situations. They aim to capture moments of resilience and solidarity, offering a respite from the fear and uncertainty faced daily by undocumented immigrants in Chicago.
Filmmakers Fatima Omar and Ian Resnick have been documenting this chapter in Chicago's history for over 12 months, capturing scenes of Downtown courtrooms, Little Village rapid response teams, and even City Hall. They collaborated with local production company Truth & Documentary, a small team that includes five people, including intern Kieran Stover, Kyra Mitchell, Ysa Quiball, Ben Kolak, Fatima Omar, and Ian Resnick.
To convey the complexities of immigration court proceedings, they worked with courtroom sketch artist Cliff Questel. His drawings provide a dynamic visualization of the events unfolding in these often mysterious spaces. While some scenes are more dramatic than others, Questel's detailed illustrations capture even the smallest details, offering viewers an immersive experience that might be difficult to replicate through traditional documentary filmmaking.
The finished film features interviews with influential figures such as Alderman Andre Vasquez and outspoken attorney Rachel Cohen, who express their support for undocumented immigrants. It also includes footage of community protests against intensified immigration enforcement, a stark contrast to the often isolated individual struggles documented in courtrooms.
To ensure accessibility, clips from "Shouldering Sanctuary" will be available on YouTube and the Media Burn Archive website, while ticket sales are replaced by donations intended to aid families impacted by ICE operations. The screening at Edge Theater in Edgewater offers a unique opportunity for Chicagoans to engage with this story firsthand, as part of the ongoing resistance that has developed against such enforcement.
While the finished film is expected to be completed by spring, its creators are still refining their portrayal of ordinary community members caught up in these high-stakes situations. They aim to capture moments of resilience and solidarity, offering a respite from the fear and uncertainty faced daily by undocumented immigrants in Chicago.
it's like, we're talking about people living in constant fear 24/7 just because they don't have papers 
And the fact that filmmakers are humanizing their stories is EVERYTHING 
It's not just about the stats or the news headlines, but the actual people affected by these policies 
I love how they're working with community members and local orgs to showcase the resistance and solidarity happening right now 
It's giving me hope for a better future 
and can we talk about the impact this docu is gonna have on chicagoans? it's like a call to action for everyone who cares. those community protests scenes are so powerful 
i hope more people tune in and show their support for these families... it's time we humanize them, ya know? 
...Chicago's undocumented community is already facing so much stress & anxiety without us making it worse with our own laws & policies...the fact that filmmakers are gonna make docu about their lives & share it with the world is a huge step forward, but we gotta keep pushing for change 
.
. It just goes to show that there are still good people out there who care deeply about this issue and want to make a difference.
This documentary sounds like such an important project. I'm so moved by the fact that they're trying to humanize the experiences of undocumented immigrants living in constant fear. The idea that these individuals are more than just statistics or headlines is really powerful. It's heartbreaking that they have to live with this uncertainty, but it's also inspiring to see them find ways to support each other and resist the enforcement. 
I hope this documentary can help raise awareness and bring about some change in Chicago. 
its not just about stats and numbers but actual ppl's stories 
they r doin somethin right 
The filmmakers are doing an amazing job of humanizing them and showing us what it's like to be in their shoes 
I'm definitely going to watch this again, and maybe even donate some money to help those families affected by ICE ops 
We need more people to speak out against this kind of enforcement, especially when it's affecting innocent people 
. It's crazy that some people are even being arrested or detained just because of their immigration status 
. The documentary seems like a good way to show them as human beings, not just numbers on a spreadsheet 
. I love how the filmmakers are working with local artists and activists to get the real story out there 
And I love how they're making this doc available for free on YouTube & donating all ticket sales to help those affected by ICE ops 
I love how they're not just shedding light on this issue, but also providing a platform for people like Alderman Vasquez and Rachel Cohen to speak out in support of these communities 
. The fact that ticket sales are being replaced by donations is just...wow 
. Can't wait for the finished film - I'm hoping it'll spark some real change 
.