Crossing Over

2013, Abigail Madariaga, Bamby Salcedo, Brenda Gonzalez, Francis Murillo, Mexico, Spanish,

Director: Isabel Castro
Release Year: 2013

Synopsis:

Crossing Over (2014): A Documentary on Transgender Immigration, Identity, and Resilience Crossing Over, a powerful 2014 documentary directed by Isabel Castro, presents an intimate look into the lives of transgender Mexican immigrants navigating life in Los Angeles. The film documents the personal and emotional journeys of three transgender women—Francis Murillo, Brenda Gonzalez, and Abigail Madariaga—who risked everything in search of safety, acceptance, and a better life in the United States. In the process, the film exposes the intersection of gender identity, immigration struggles, and the violence faced by transgender individuals in both their home countries and the U.S.

 

At its core, Crossing Over is not just a story about immigration, but a poignant exploration of survival and resilience. The documentary unfolds the complex realities that transgender immigrants face, with a particular focus on how systemic issues of transphobia, abuse, and lack of legal knowledge complicate their pursuit of asylum and a better future. Through the stories of Francis, Brenda, and Abigail, Castro aims to shed light on a marginalized group within both the immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities, offering viewers a humanizing and nuanced perspective on the struggles that define their lives.

 

Isabel Castro's interest in the immigrant experience was deeply personal. Raised in the United States by Mexican parents, Castro grew up in a family where the realities of immigration were never far from her thoughts. "My parents emigrated to the United States specifically because of job opportunities and, really, educational opportunities for me and my siblings," she shared in an interview. Her parents had always viewed the American educational system as the key to success, but Castro quickly realized that for many immigrants, the journey to a better life was fraught with challenges. Castro's interest in the specific plight of transgender immigrants was sparked when she was introduced to a Los Angeles immigration lawyer who worked with LGBT asylum seekers. The lawyer shared stories of the harassment, violence, and discrimination that many transgender individuals faced in their home countries, stories that left Castro "speechless." These accounts led her to begin exploring the intersection of immigration and transgender issues, resulting in Crossing Over, a film that ultimately grew into a broader project aiming to raise awareness about transphobia, both in Latin American cultures and in the U.S.

 

The documentary focuses on the lives of three transgender women who came to the U.S. to escape physical and emotional abuse in Mexico, only to find that life as an undocumented immigrant was no less perilous. These women—Francis, Brenda, and Abigail—each bring their own unique experiences to the film, and their stories highlight the intersection of gender identity, poverty, and the complexities of U.S. immigration law.

 

Francis Murillo, a 42-year-old transgender woman, fled Mexico to escape sexual abuse and violence. She had already been working as a housecleaner in the U.S. by the time the film begins, and she is on the verge of her final asylum hearing. Francis's story demonstrates how the legal process for asylum can be just as dehumanizing as the violence she fled. Her struggle to be recognized as a victim of abuse was compounded by her transgender identity, and she spent years living in the shadows, uncertain of her future.

 

Brenda Gonzalez, 44, came to the U.S. after experiencing both emotional and sexual abuse in Mexico. Unlike many immigrants, Brenda completed her studies in Mexico before moving to Los Angeles. However, her desire for a better life in the U.S. quickly led her to the sex industry, where she contracted HIV. Despite this, Brenda's determination to survive and find a more stable life shines through. She eventually won asylum in 2008, and today works at a nonprofit organization providing resources to Latino communities in Southern California. Brenda's journey, marked by both personal tragedy and triumph, highlights the resilience of transgender immigrants who face intersecting challenges of gender identity, sexuality, and survival in a foreign land. 

 

Abigail Madariaga, the youngest of the three at 28, offers a compelling narrative of youth, hope, and struggle. Abigail’s path to survival in the U.S. also led her to the sex industry, and she battled drug addiction in the process. However, she is determined to build a future for herself and uses her work as a dancer and event planner for quinceañeras to put herself through community college. Like Brenda, Abigail was granted asylum in 2009, but the difficulties of starting over in a new country have not been easy. She faces the additional challenge of navigating a life with no financial aid for her education, which, as an asylum seeker, she is ineligible to receive. Abigail’s story becomes especially poignant when, during production, she disappears, leaving Castro and the film crew unsure of her whereabouts. Castro was faced with the reality of what it means to film the lives of people in crisis, and when Abigail finally resurfaced, it was clear that her struggles were far from over. This moment underscored the fragility of the immigrant experience, particularly for transgender individuals who face even greater vulnerability due to their marginalized identities.

 

One of the most striking elements of Crossing Over is how it emphasizes the compounded nature of transphobia, abuse, and the challenges of immigration. For many transgender individuals, the United States offers a semblance of freedom and opportunity—especially in comparison to the gendered violence they face in their home countries. But the reality of navigating a foreign country without the proper legal protections is far more complex. Castro’s documentary offers a window into the lives of individuals who, while eligible for political asylum due to the violence they face as transgender people, often don't know how to access those protections.

 

As the film reveals, many transgender immigrants fall into the shadows, engaging in survival sex work, struggling with addiction, and facing constant threats of violence and deportation. The U.S. legal system's failure to recognize their asylum claims, combined with a general lack of awareness about LGBT rights, further complicates their journey. The film also highlights the unique cultural dynamics within Latin American countries, where machismo and patriarchal values often contribute to the marginalization and abuse of transgender people. In this sense, Crossing Over not only addresses issues of immigration but also challenges the transphobic attitudes present both in the U.S. and Latin American cultures, pushing for greater understanding and empathy for those who face oppression at multiple levels.

 

For Isabel Castro, Crossing Over was not just a professional project but also a personal journey of growth and transformation. Castro admits that when she first started filming, she could not have predicted the profound impact the subjects' stories would have on her. She recalls, "These women’s stories have taught me lessons in self-identity, tenacity, and above all, strength. I hope that these photographs, and the documentary in progress, will teach others these lessons as well." Castro’s empathy for her subjects shines through in the film’s delicate portrayal of their personal struggles. She hopes the documentary will not only raise awareness about the difficulties transgender immigrants face but also humanize these often invisible individuals. "I wanted people who didn’t immediately empathize with or understand this very specific demographic to have a point of access into these people’s lives," she said, emphasizing the universality of the struggles depicted in the film. As the film garnered attention and premiered at various festivals, Crossing Over became an important part of the conversation surrounding both transgender issues and the larger debate on immigration reform. It premiered at the Lower East Side Film Festival and was later broadcast on Univision and Pivot. The film has been lauded for its sensitive portrayal of its subjects and for giving voice to a population that is often overlooked in discussions about immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.

 

Crossing Over is more than just a documentary about immigration; it is a testament to the strength, resilience, and humanity of transgender immigrants. Through the stories of Francis, Brenda, and Abigail, Isabel Castro has created a film that sheds light on the hidden struggles faced by transgender people who are forced to cross borders in search of safety, dignity, and acceptance. By intertwining issues of gender identity, immigration, and asylum, Crossing Over offers a compelling and timely narrative that challenges societal norms and calls for greater understanding of the transgender experience. In a world where transgender issues are often sensationalized or misunderstood, Crossing Over presents a much-needed counter-narrative—one that speaks not only to the struggles of its subjects but also to their strength, resilience, and determination to survive and thrive. It is a story of survival against the odds, of seeking refuge not just in a new country but in a community where they can be seen, understood, and loved for who they truly are.

via: tribecafilm.com

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Image credits: YouTube