Part III: In Search of Asylum

(1985)

Claire Schoen: Producer/director, sound recordist/editor
Fine Line Productions: Executive Producer
Award: NFCB Golden Reel winner for best documentary

Program Summary: Although the U.S. Refugee Act of 1980 offers asylum to those who prove a “well-founded fear of persecution,” the immigration courts deny asylum to 97% of the Salvadorans who apply. People who fled terror are judged to be illegal economic immigrants, not refugees.