Beyond the Border

A Mexican Immigrant Joins his Brothers in Kentucky

Young Marcelo Ayala leaves his home in Mexico to join his brothers in the Kentucky Bluegrass.

Thousands of Latinos seeking better possibilities have been migrating to Midwestern states like Kentucky, with jobs in the tobacco, manufacturing and horseracing industries. But as these Latino communities have swelled, so too has the xenophobia and discrimination facing them.

BEYOND THE BORDER, follows the classic immigrant experience with Marcelo Ayala, who leaves his family on a risky journey to the United States. We begin to understand his decision to leave Mexico with the insights of his brothers, who before him, have each made the same journey. Horacio Ayala, has been in the US for a couple of years. He yearns to return to Mexico. Juan, the anchor of the brothers, has managed to realize his dream of a family and stable job in the United States, all the while missing the joy of being with his family in Mexico. Gonzalo, the oldest, has seen his life unravel, with broken marriages, jail time and a battle with alcoholism.

Beyond the Border rounds out immigration's effect on family in Marcelo's home town in Michoacan, Mexico. Marcial and Carmen, his parents, still work making bricks. The sisters Lupe and Carmen, would like to immigrate to the US, but have remained behind with their Mexican husbands. Finally, Elena, the youngest, dreams of an education, to gain income for the family.