Review: Homeland Security USA program tonight on ABC

Gabriela Flora and Jordan Garcia of American Friends Service Committee tip us off to the following show that ABC will be airing tonight and ask for our feedback:

Coloradans For Immigrant Rights!

What does your TV tell you how to think about Homeland Security?

ABC is set to Premier the first of 13 hour long episodes of Homeland Security USA TODAY, Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 at 7:00 pm on Denver ABC Affiliate, Channel 7…

Rising Action…

In early December, the American Friends Service Committee requested from ABC executives the opportunity to view a pilot of Homeland Security USA in order to share any concerns or observations we may have had with ABC before the program went on the air.  ABC turned down AFSC’s request.

Pinnacle…

Now, we ask YOU to view Homeland Security USA with your friends & family and use these questions to guide a discussion on “reality” TV program…

1. Is the whole story there?

The Department of Homeland Security has been marred with scores of human rights violations, from overcrowding in detention centers to questionable worksite and home raids, which has prompted strong criticism from elected officials to civil and human rights organizations across the globe…

1. • From whose viewpoint is the storyline being told?
   • Is the perspective of immigrants and refugees portrayed in the program?
   • How are immigrants, border residents, and refugees depicted on the show?

1. Reality or simplification?

The debate over immigration can often be divisive; this is especially true when myths over immigration are portrayed as truths and when oversimplification of the complex immigration phenomena plays on fears and racism…

1. • How does Homeland Security USA contribute or not to a meaningful dialogue on immigration?
   • Did you walk away with a better understanding of the immigration debate and the reality that millions of people face in the United States when dealing with the Department of Homeland Security?

1. Accurate portrayal?

Sadly the testimonies of refugees, immigrants and border residents rarely have the opportunity of being portrayed positively in national media outlets.  Often times their stories are framed within issues of legality and national security…

· Does Homeland Security USA offer any character depth in the portrayal of refugees, immigrants and border residents?

· How are Department of Homeland Security agents portrayed in the TV show?  Do you agree with this depiction of DHS agents?  Why or why not?

· Do you believe that Homeland Security USA does a good job in conveying a balanced depiction of both agents and civilians?

Coming soon…

In the next few weeks AFSC will be collecting impressions from community members across the United States to share with ABC executives, in the hopes that immigrants, refugees and border residents are treated fairly and their stories are NOT used as way to increase ratings for ABC. As part of this effort, please send any comments you have after viewing Homeland Security USA to Jordan Garcia (jgarcia@afsc.org).