On Feb. 27, International Student and Scholar Services hosted a feedback screening of the documentary, “African Asylum Seekers in Texas.” The departments of international studies, political science, modern languages and the Center for International Engagement sponsored the film, and its screening was held in honor of Black History Month. The film depicts the emotional journey of those seeking asylum in Texas, highlighting real stories and experiences.
The film captures the resilience and importance of Black immigrants in the United States. “African Asylum Seekers in Texas” combines cinematography with social justice, serving as an avenue for education on immigration.
Dylan McAndrew, Trinity alumnus and international advisor at the Center for International Engagement, directed and filmed the documentary with his friend Joshua Leftwitch.
“I started filming it when I was working at a shelter for asylum seekers called Casa Marianella in Austin. It’s a shelter for recently arrived asylum seekers who come in through the Mexico-US border who are fleeing persecution in their home countries,” McAndrew said.
While working at Casa Marianella, McAndrew found a particular interest in the experiences of Central and West African immigrants. Here, he was inspired to start the filming process, and he began to record residents of the tight-knit community.
“The main person is from Mauritania in West Africa, so the film explores his identity as a recently-arrived asylum seeker,” McAndrew said.
As McAndrew’s film displays, the immigration journey for African asylum seekers can be exhaustive, precarious and dangerous. After fleeing their home countries, residents of Casa Marianella typically begin their travels in South America.
“Most fly into a visa-free country, usually Brazil … and then oftentimes they work to gain some money to pay for the rest of the voyage. And, they take buses through several South American countries like Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Columbia … and the Darién Gap,” McAndrew said. “And then after that dangerous journey, there’s a lot of human rights abuses, a lot of killings and such.”
However, as McAndrew explained, the immigration process doesn’t simply end there. Refugees must then enter the United States and apply for asylum, which can be particularly taxing.
“They reach the US-Mexico border, and that portion takes a lot of time … There’s kidnappings, extortion and then there’s also detention systems in Mexico, which are way worse than detention in the US, which is still bad,” McAndrew said. “I’ve met people who have been in detention for years.”
Shelters and safe spaces around the United States are working to protect these vulnerable asylum seekers. At Casa Marianella, residents can find community, learn about their rights and live self-sufficiently.
“[Asylum seekers] need a place to stay just to get their feet on the ground,” McAndrew said. “That’s where the shelter I worked at comes into play.”
McAndrew said he hopes that the film will educate people and spread awareness about the journeys of African asylum seekers. He urged viewers to focus on the emotional dimension of asylum seeking.
“[The film is] more about the emotional experience of asylum seekers when they just arrive in the US and the challenges to not only finding housing and social services, but the challenges related to identity,” McAndrew said.
Similarly, Katsuo Nishikawa, assistant professor of political science and director of the CIE, said that McAndrew’s film can help shed light on the realities of immigration.
“The work that Dylan has done is very important because it humanizes something that we only see in statistics,” Nishikawa said.
Last, Isadora Crane, sophomore sociology major, said she appreciated the documentary’s skillful blend of artistry and education. She stated that it is important to spotlight the lived experiences of those seeking asylum.
“A lot of times, things are swept under the rug or they are generalized, and I think one of the great things about documentaries … is it really puts you on the ground and in someone’s perspective,” Crane said. “It’s such an important way to connect with people and know what’s happening in the world.”
