"Papers" is the story of undocumented youth and the challenges they face as they turn 18 without legal status. Eleven million undocumented immigrants live in the United States. Of those, four and a half million were brought to the U.S. as children. These are young people who were educated in American schools, hold American values, know only the U.S. as home and who, upon high school graduation, find the door to their future slammed shut. 65,000 undocumented students graduate every year from high school without "papers." It is against the law to work or drive. It is difficult, if not impossible in some states, to attend college. They live at risk of arrest, detention and deportation to countries they may not even remember. Currently, there is no path to citizenship for most of these young people. Graham Street Productions produced this film in association with El Grupo Juvenil (the "Papers" Youth Crew). These youth producers were actively involved in all aspects of the production. They have worked in collaboration with immigrant youth around the country who want to tell their stories and change immigration policy.
