In an inspiring new documentary titled "From Here/From There" (De Aquí /De Allá), the remarkable journey of Luis Cortes Romero, the first undocumented lawyer to argue before the Supreme Court, is revealed. The film, set to premiere on PBS on July 9, 2024, marks the beginning of the Voces 2024 season.

Cortes Romero, born in Mexico, was brought to Northern California at the age of one. He grew up as an enthusiastic learner, attending a school for gifted students. However, when his school organized a trip to Europe, his hopes were dashed when he discovered that, due to his undocumented status, he was unable to participate. It was this moment that unveiled his realization of being undocumented.

Despite this setback, Cortes Romero persevered with the encouragement of his mother. He graduated college and pursued law school, although he initially doubted whether he could practice law without legal status. It wasn't until the introduction of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, initiated by then-President Barack Obama in 2012, that Cortes Romero found a glimmer of hope. DACA allowed young individuals brought to the U.S. as children without legal documentation to live and work without fear of deportation.

However, the Trump administration's decision to rescind DACA in 2017 propelled Cortes Romero into a larger battle. After aiding a detained DACA grantee in attaining freedom, he became deeply involved in the legal fight to protect DACA. Collaborating with top lawyers and legal scholars, Cortes Romero utilized his personal experience to help find DACA recipients as plaintiffs in the case. This eventually led him to make history in November 2019 as the first undocumented lawyer to argue before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court's subsequent ruling stated that the Trump administration had improperly ended DACA, rather than ruling on the merits of the program itself. Currently, the fate of DACA hangs in the balance as it undergoes review by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The documentary filmmaker, Marlene Morris, who is a former immigration attorney, spent almost five years crafting "From Here/From There," closely tracking the trajectory of DACA, even amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic. Morris aims to use her film to shed light on the complexities of the immigration system, hoping to dispel misconceptions and advocate for social change.

While public opinion generally supports providing a pathway for young people brought to the U.S. illegally as children, the future of DACA remains uncertain. Muzaffar Chishti, senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, suggests that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will likely issue a ruling on DACA in the fall or toward the end of 2024. However, regardless of the outcome, it is anticipated that both sides will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

Luis Cortes Romero remains optimistic that Congress will ultimately "do the right thing" regarding the future of DACA. Reflecting on the progress made by social movements within the immigrants' rights community, he believes that America has a long tradition of people stepping up when needed. Regardless of the uncertainties ahead, he firmly believes that home is always worth fighting for.

Cortes Romero's story, along with that of Sergio Garcia, America's first undocumented attorney, who continues to advocate and serve his clients, highlights the resilience and courage of undocumented individuals in the face of adversity. Garcia, celebrating his 10th anniversary as a lawyer, emphasizes the benefits of California's law allowing immigrants without legal status to apply for professional licenses.

"From Here/From There" is a poignant portrayal of the struggles and triumphs experienced by undocumented individuals and their ongoing fight for justice and inclusion. This powerful documentary serves as a reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform and the importance of empathy in understanding the complexities of undocumented individuals' lives.