Background of 30 Days Episode

The “Immigration” episode recently seen on the FX show “30 Days” draws a quick portrait of two opposing views. Host Morgan Spurlock introduces the viewer to Frank George, a persistent Minuteman and the illegal immigrant Gonzales family. These views are very black and white at the beginning, but have seemingly blurred by the end of the show. As cited on the website, this series covers, according to executive producer R.J. Cutler, “the most pressing social issues facing our country.” The first episode in the second season, “Immigration,” obviously exhibits this quality, and attempts to target those who might possibly be swayed by the heartfelt appeals of the Gonzales family.
From the beginning, we are given the background of both Frank and the Gonzales’. A legal immigrant at a young age, Frank joined the Minutemen after September 11th. He stated clearly, “9/11 was an immigration related issue,” and saw the illegal entry of people into the United States a large problem leading to the dissolution of the country. After Frank enters the Gonzales home and meets Rigoberto, his wife Patty, and their children, especially the outspoken Armida, he hears more of their story. After coming into the country 12 years ago, they still have a small living space, and try to make it through each day as best as they can. As Rigoberto says, “Given our situation, we don’t live on a large scale.”
Although the family claims to not live on a large scale, there are many situations that could be considered surprising, especially in the case of Armida, who always brings up the search for the ‘American Dream.’ As an avid golfer and ambitious student, she is attempting to get into Princeton University. However, even though two of her younger siblings are legal U.S. Citizens, Armida does not have proper identification or even a social security number. It begs the question, how do these people survive undocumented? This is one that Frank visibly struggles with throughout the episode. As he works with Rigoberto as a handyman, talks with Patty, interacts with the entire family, and finally makes a trip to Mexico to see the family’s former home, a change is visible in Frank’s mindset. After experiencing all of these events, Frank says, “There comes a time when you love people for who they are, all politics aside.” At this point, it would be very easy for a viewer to see a conflicting situation and the solution posed. However, it goes much deeper than that.