Deportation is not entertainment

Tell National Geographic Channel to cancel the reality show Border Security.

by Diana Aviles Hernandez and Concerned Residents

Yesterday, March 13, Canadian Border Services Agency officers raided several construction sites in Vancouver. Dozens of migrant and undocumented workers were interrogated, arrested, and detained. Most of them are now being held for deportation even though some of them were in the midst of making various immigration, refugee, and sponsorship claims.

We are urging National Geographic Channel and Force Four Entertainment (the show’s production company), to cancel the show Border Security immediately, and for the Canadian Border Services Agency to stop participating in this program and conducting violent deportations.

Deportation, exploiting human suffering, coercing migrant workers, and tearing apart families is not entertainment. Would these raids have happened on this scale, in such a militaristic way, if a reality TV show wasn't being filmed for National Geographic Channel?

As the wife of one the men being detained, I know that while they were interrogated and intimidated in custody, they were given consent forms to say that they would allow the footage to be aired on TV. My husband refused to sign these forms because he recognized it was wrong, but other people who he is being detained with — some who speak little English — could not stand up to this coercion.

Not only did the show film the raid, the camera crews came to the houses of the men who were arrested.

The first season of Border Security is already airing on National Geographic. By running this deceptive and exploitative show, National Geographic is complicit in the victimization of people who are living, working, and building community with their families and loved ones.

By signing this petition, we are sending a message that deportation for the sake of entertainment is unacceptable.

My Story
My husband Renan was one day from completing his immigration sponsorship forms when Canadian Border Services raided the construction site he works at. Though we married in November, Renan still had final sponsorship documents to submit. Renan was also required to work to be considered for sponsorship.

My husband has been caught in a systemic problem: His sponsorship required that he work before he became a Canadian, but a work permit wasn’t yet granted. Within a week, he will be deported to Honduras, where he fears for his life.

Renan was supporting family in Honduras, as well as my own daughter Aaliyah. Our family’s suffering is a private matter, and should not be broadcast as entertainment.

Here is the letter the petition authors invite people to sign: