[music playing]
FATHER JIM: Forget the realities you grew up with.
It's a different world down there, a world that would seem
to us terrible hallucinations.
To them, a daily horror.
To help these people, we must enter this nightmare.
Now, this little girl, her name was Elena.
She died a couple of days after I took this photograph.
One out of every four baby starves
to death in El Salvador.
One out of every four.
It's a desperate situation.
Desperate situation that your contributions can help remedy.
The US spends a million dollars a day down there,
so why do you need to contribute?
US foreign aid doesn't buy food.
It buys weapons.
The army has them.
The rebels have them.
And the death squads have them.
And what do the people have?
Poverty.
No sanitation, no land reform, and their schools under siege.
The victims of the guns are the people.
These people, these children, I need your money to save them.
[THEME - LIAM STEMBERG, "21 JUMP STREET"]
THEME SONG: We never thought of finding
a place where we belong.
Don't have to stand alone, we'll never let you fall.
Don't need permission to decide what you believe.
Whoo!
I said jump, down on Jump Street.
Your friends will be there when your back is to the wall.
You'll find you'll need us cause there's no one else to call.
When it was hopeless a decision's what you need.
You better be ready to, be ready to jump.
21 Jump Street.
Put more arc on it.
I don't get the appeal of basketball.
That's cause it's an American game.
It's gotta be in your blood.
You gotta grow up with it.
Actually, it's an Aztec game.
Oh, really?
From Mexico.
They take the captain of the winning team
and then chop his head off.
The winning team?
It was a great honor.
Well, the Americans improved the game by giving
players seven figure salaries.
That's a great honor.
Oh, there's one.
JUDY: What's up, captain?
The mayor is very upset.
It's over the recent press about El Salvadoran babies
being sold to American couples.
They've been working with the INS to stop the influx,
but none of the couples will reveal their source,
so they've come up with squat.
City Hall is starting to feel the heat.
Sounds like Fed territory to me.
Yeah, well it would be, except they think a priest
named Jim Kelly is involved.
It's suspected he's been running an underground sanctuary
movement for years now, and INS figures
he's moved into baby selling.
Hmm.
That's too bad, but what does that have to do with us?
Well, Father Jim is a teacher at St. Brendan's University.
Oh, boy.
Brush up your Latin, guys.
Catholic school.
Don't lie to me.
You're with me now.
Beyond help, beyond hope, alone.
Tell me where your friends are, Judy.
You want to live?
Tell me where they are!
Tell me!
Tell me where they are!
Hey, hold it!
Thank you.
What were you gonna do?
Were you going to let me kill her?
OK, Judy, thanks very much.
You all right?
Yes.
I guess so.
Thank you.
OK, think about this.
Why was Doug the only one that stood up?
Were you afraid?
It's all right if you were.
But think about it.
Because whatever you experienced is small time compared
with the experiences of people in Chile, in Guatemala,
and El Salvador.
The mad padre didn't freak you out?
Well, let's just say he's not what I expect from a priest.
Ron Greenwood.
Judy Hodges.
Is this Father Jim always so--
- Enthusiastic? - Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah, he's basically a nut.
But he's a lunatic whose heart's in the right place.
Do you know him pretty well?
Yeah, this is my third class with him.
Do you know it's the first time that I've
ever seen a new student handle him as well as you did.
Well, I figured what he had to say was pretty important.
Matter of fact, I wouldn't mind hearing more of it.
Oh, believe me, there's more to hear.
He gives tons of seminars, fundraisers.
Is it hard to get in on that?
No.
No, my sister can tell you all about it.
I could take you--
take you to her if you want.
Huh?
Your sister?
Yeah.
Yeah, Alice is really into the guy.
In fact, she works in his office and volunteers half her life
away for his refugee program.
Hmm, maybe I'll drop by.
I don't know, no priest I ever heard of ever talked that way.
You ask me, he doesn't deserve to wear a collar.
- He doesn't wear a collar. - Very good point.
Wow.
I think I just died and went to cafeteria heaven.
How's my hair? Is it OK?
You look great.
Go get her.
[speaking spanish]
Por favor-- yo--
can I have some of that?
HARRY: Me, too.
In Spanish, we call this dish lasagna.
Lasagna.
You see, you can speak Spanish and you didn't even know it.
If you come back tomorrow, I will
teach you how to say hot dogs.
I'll be here.
Thank you.
I'll be here?
Couldn't think of anything to say.
What are you reading?
"El Mundo."
It's a newspaper from my country.
El Salvador?
Yes.
You ever get homesick?
Sometimes.
I'm Doug.
Doug Stevens.
Marta Cabarrus.
Um, [speaking spanish].
I have pretty eggs?
Is that what I said?
Yes.
Eyes. Eyes.
I meant to say eyes.
You have pretty eyes.
[speaking spanish].
What's that?
Liar.
Liar?
No, it's true.
You do have pretty eyes.
World class, I'm telling you.
Your eyes are better than Chef Ping's spicy lobster,
better than the World Series going into seven games,
better than Batman comics.
[WHISPERING] So talking about Chef Ping's spicy lobster,
do you think maybe, you know--
you know, me and you could--
do you want to go out to dinner tonight?
I'm sorry, I can't tonight.
We're raising money for the refugee center
and I'm already late.
Oh, that's Father Jim's setup.
You're involved with that?
Yes.
Is he, uh, the great guy he's cracked up to be?
Yes, he's a wonderful man.
His center has helped the refugees in many, many ways.
Oh.
Well, don't let me keep you or nothing.
Uh, would it be possible, do you think, if I were to just, like,
show up?
I'm really interested in that kind of stuff.
I'd like to see what it's like.
Yes.
Please come tonight.
I'd like to see you there.
[mariachi music]
May I have your attention, please.
Thank you for coming.
I'd like to begin with an extraordinary young woman.
She applied for political asylum four months ago.
She's still waiting for her hearing.
But please realize that nearly every Salvadorian like her
is refused, and is sent back.
Nearly every one.
We must change the law.
Here's a story from El Salvador.
My name is Marta.
I was a teacher in Chalatenango.
We traveled from village to village teaching literacy.
You see, we are a nation of farmers,
and I gave my people new seed to plant--
seeds of hope, seeds of equality.
This was unacceptable to the people in power--
the people who have the money.
Because I was a teacher, soldiers took me to prison
and kept me 10 days.
My family and friends could not find me.
I disappeared.
In prison, I was raped.
I was tortured with cigarettes, and they tried to drown me.
They released me as a warning to other teachers--
no more seeds for the people.
This is the system in El Salvador--
el sistema.
We must change the system.
The blood must stop.
It is time to say enough.
[spanish]
ALL: [chanting in spanish]
But then, this kid in class mentioned
something about Father Jim not speaking any Spanish.
Yeah?
Don't you think that's a little weird.
I don't know, I suppose.
The only way he could run a baby selling ring
without speaking the language is if he had
someone to speak it for him.
And that's when I thought of that woman, the one
from El Salvador.
Marta?
She's a refugee.
She has firsthand connections to Salvadoran families.
No, no, no, no.
There's no way she's in this.
You know that?
I know her.
She barely escaped that country with her life.
She was tortured.
Look, I know you feel sorry for her, Doug, but--
No, no, that's not it.
Oh, come on, man.
You're letting your heart get in the way.
Really?
I understand why, but you gotta look at the facts.
Now, Father Jim needs money bad for his program, right?
You saw how rough he was with Judy.
I mean this is not your typical priest.
Yeah, so?
So-- so maybe he uses unconventional
methods to help his cause.
That does not mean that he uses Marta to sell babies.
Maybe she's not being used.
Look, the way I read it, they figure
they're saving poor babies down there,
helping couples here, making a little cash for the operation.
I mean, it's a win-win-win situation, man.
It's a good theory, Harry.
Too bad you don't know what the hell you're talking about.
Excuse me.
I wanted to ask a couple of questions
about the refugee program.
Well, what is it that I can help you with?
Well, actually, I've got this class with your brother--
Ron sent you here?
Well, yeah, and he mentioned that you were really involved
with the refugee programs.
I wouldn't call Alice so much involved as completely
and utterly devoted.
My only regret is we don't have a million more like her.
But I'm surprised to see you here.
Most of my students stay clear after they've
been bound and blindfolded.
What makes you different?
Well, I've been thinking about what you said,
and I thought maybe I could help.
You know, volunteer.
Please, sit down.
You know, most people think that what we do here
is like the junior league, sitting
around, phoning in your weekly hour of community service.
But the realities of helping refugees
is depressing, and sad, and ugly, and dangerous.
Dangerous, huh?
A lot of people don't agree with what we're doing.
The law's on their side.
I guess the bottom line is you've
got to know in your heart that what you're doing
is the only thing that your conscience will allow you to.
Hey.
Douglas, are you mechanical?
Yeah, when I need to be.
What's up?
I don't know.
Here, let me listen to it.
Sounds like your battery.
I don't think you have any juice.
Juice?
Yeah, I'll jump ya.
I mean, uh, just wait here.
Let's get you started here.
What is it?
What's wrong?
Was it these?
Nothing.
I'm sorry.
Nothing.
What happened?
They used those on me in prison.
Those police did that to you?
Yeah.
Listen, that sort of stuff, that doesn't happen here.
And even if it did, I wouldn't let them touch you.
He's an incredible man.
Passionate, committed, determined.
He seems like a very special guy.
Yeah, well, if anyone's going to change the world,
Jim's the one to do it.
Jim?
Yeah, well, he told me to stop calling
him Father a long time ago.
Oh.
Listen, Alice, I've gotta take--
Judy.
What a pleasant surprise.
I had no idea you'd even be here today.
Ron, I told you Judy was working today.
Well, I must have forgot.
Um-- so can I help you with anything?
You know-- - Yeah--
--and filing.
--why don't you start on these,
and you can start on these, and let's not forget about these.
Great.
What is all this?
Records on Salvadoran families seeking asylum.
We got to keep tabs on everybody--
parents, grandparents, children.
You see, the worst thing would be to miss an opportunity
to bring somebody to freedom.
And we try to do everything we can to make
sure that doesn't happen.
You see, it's--
it's very difficult for me to--
Open up?
But I want to.
I want to with you.
I have to get my battery charged.
Well, I could drive you.
No, it's OK.
Father Jim would like to do it.
Besides, you've done enough already.
Well, uh, can I see you tonight maybe?
Tonight?
No, I have something I have to do.
But tomorrow, first thing in the morning.
I promise.
Douglas--
I'll finish here, then I'll get a new battery.
Won't that make it too late?
- No, we'll be fine. - How is the baby?
Oh, still sick.
It's a long trip for a child that young.
Well, she'll have a new home soon.
We'll leave just after dark.
Figure an hour there, the same back, then we're home free.
You know, I was thinking about Marta
and what happened down there.
I don't know how I would react if--
if they tortured me.
Look, everybody's equal under the law.
Now, don't let her sad story take your eye off the ball.
She must have a good reason for doing this.
That's all I'm saying.
[crickets chirping]
All units, move in now.
[police sirens]
Jim Kelly, you're under arrest for the violation of the child
transportation laws.
What are you doing?
Arresting you for selling babies, sir.
What are you talking about?
Let's get him out of here.
You're making a mistake!
You're police?
Read these people their rights.
Get this baby in a car.
Turn off some of them damn lights!
Douglas, what are you doing?
Doing my job.
Douglas, these people are refugees.
My god, you think we're selling this child?
We're bringing this family here for safety!
This child belongs to that family!
They would never sell her!
We're bringing this family here for asylum.
Well, I guess, um, I was wrong about Marta, huh?
I guess you were.
You know, when people found out where I came from,
they treated me differently from how you treated Marta.
What do you mean?
You believed her story.
You understood what she's been through.
People didn't believe you?
Most people couldn't picture it.
They weren't there.
Even I have a hard time believing it now.
I'm sorry I was so hard on her.
Doug, you need to talk to her.
After what I did?
Look, Doug, you care so much for her, man.
She's going to to understand that.
I betrayed her.
I can't face her.
Have some faith.
OK?
Here, let me help you.
No, no, no, no, [spanish].
I don't understand.
[spanish]
Just listen to me, will ya?
No, you listen to me.
[spanish]
I don't need your help.
Why is it Americans think they can grab things?
OK. OK.
I'm sorry.
No, no, no.
You're sorry?
[spanish]
What do you think, I want you to feel sorry for me?
FATHER JIM: Marta, can I talk to you for a second?
OK, the call has come.
The INS has re-scheduled your hearing for Friday.
Your attorney thinks that your request for political asylum
is very strong.
There's been a lot of attention, I'm afraid,
because of me, and because of the case
that Doug was investigating.
You know, he didn't mean for this to happen.
I don't trust him.
He paid your bail.
Why?
Why don't you ask him?
You mix me up.
Why did you pay my bail?
Oh, I didn't want you to know about that.
I need to know why.
Because I care for you.
I feel--
Sorry for me.
Yes, I know.
Why is it so hard for you to be nice to me?
You know, I'm telling you how I feel.
It's not a line or nothing.
Why do you have to be so defensive?
Were you making believe in the parking lot when you helped me?
Were you being a cop?
You mean, did I mean it when I helped you?
Yes.
Ci.
I also was doing what I had to do.
Someone's out there someone babies.
It's my job.
I am a cop.
But I'm not--
La policia.
Yes, yes, you understand.
I don't want to hurt anybody.
Yeah, I understand that you're different.
Americano loco.
Crazy American?
Yeah.
Yeah, that's me.
Peace?
Peace.
All right.
You know, in his country, it's a custom to have a peace dinner.
Oh, really?
Yes, yes, it's very bad manners to say no.
You know, it's a bad insult. So what do you say?
I'll make you something American.
I'll make you lasagna.
How about that?
OK.
[romantic music]
Now that's some serious music.
Yeah, that's great.
You hear that?
It's picante.
Absolutely.
Absolutely, picante.
Whose turn was it?
My turn.
We were talking about your older sister.
Amalia.
We call her La Bizca, because she's, um--
Oh, that's attractive.
She's cross-eyed.
OK, cross-eyed, Bizca.
And when we were little kids, and [spanish] came--
What's that?
It's, um, winds in October--
heavy winds.
We were running to the hills to play,
and we would play that game with--
with the stones, where you [makes slingshot sound]..
Slingshots.
Right.
And Amalia-- La Bizca-- could shoot better than anybody.
Now, I don't know if it was her eyes,
or maybe she could feel her target.
That's a true story?
Yeah, of course.
You think I would make it up?
No, no, no, it's-- you know, weirder things have happened.
In Texas, they have these mosquitoes that are so big,
they carry full grown men away.
A man?
I don't believe you.
It's the truth.
I'm telling the truth.
Douglas, I am serious.
This is a true story what I'm telling you.
I know.
Why are you making fun of me?
I don't know.
Just a crazy American.
Douglas, thank you for my dinner,
and thank you for my bail.
And thank you for believing my story.
Judy, what are you doing?
You don't have any right.
I have a warrant.
Look, I'm not exactly sure what's going on here,
but everything is in these files-- lists of El
Salvadoran children, their ages, their families'
economic status.
Well, I told you we keep tabs on everybody.
Only you forgot to tell me about the babies.
Or is that Father Jim's department?
I don't know what you're talking about.
Oh, come on, Alice, the connection is obviously
coming from this office.
Now, if Father Jim is forcing you--
Father Jim would never force me to do anything, especially
selling babies, for God's sake.
It goes against everything he's trying to do here,
everything he believes in, what I believe in.
All right, well, who else has access to these files?
Who else?
Nobody, except Ron.
Ron?
What's going to happen to her?
Over 90% of the Salvadoran refugees are sent back.
It's ironic.
We open our doors to almost everyone,
but because El Salvador is considered a democracy,
we turn a blind eye to the slaughter.
Slaughter?
What are you saying?
If she's sent back, she'll be in a lot of danger.
Oh, damn.
Damn.
Had to go and arrest her--
Douglas, it's not your fault. Our system's not perfect.
Look, she wanted to be there.
She made a choice to help other refugees,
understanding the dangers.
All we can do-- what we have to do--
is stand by her.
MARTA: Douglas, look at those seagulls.
They are chasing each other.
DOUG: Yeah, I think he likes her tail feathers.
Oh, Douglas.
Well, what do you think it is?
I think she likes his.
Possibly.
Are you cold?
Here.
Get in there.
Oh.
Wow.
You know, I've been thinking a lot about things,
mostly thinking a lot about you.
Here, sit.
I want to do this right.
What are you doing?
I'm proposing.
Does that mean getting your pants dirty?
No.
No, it means that, uh, I'm asking you--
I'm asking you to marry me.
Douglas, no, I am sorry.
I cannot marry you.
Why not?
Because it's not right.
Because you are only doing it to help a refugee
you feel sorry for.
I could be saving your life.
I know you understand that.
Of course I understand that.
Why do you think I must refuse?
I also am doing this because I think this
could be a really good thing.
Look at the possibilities.
We get married.
We get to know each other.
Maybe, possibly, we fall madly in love.
We have kids, some grandkids, a house with a sun porch.
I think we could be really happy together.
I don't want to lose you.
I don't want you to lose me, either.
You're scared.
I'm scared.
We can be scared together.
All you gotta do is say yes.
Come on, I know it's in there.
Yes.
Say it again.
Yes.
Yes?
Yes.
Wow.
Why don't you just tell them the truth?
All right, I--
I gave the names to this-- this lawyer, Robert Mendez.
And what was your cut?
15%.
But that-- but that wasn't what it was all about.
I mean, those kids down there, they deserve a chance.
And I figured I was helping, you know?
Like you, Alice.
Believe me, I understand your impatience,
but the process simply takes time.
Look, Mr. Mendez, god knows I'm not getting any younger.
If we have to wait for another year or two--
It's just that we've been trying for so long already.
I mean, isn't there something you can do?
Well, there are some ways we can speed
up the process, of course.
But I don't usually recommend them.
Well, we're asking you to make an exception in our case.
It also depends upon what you want.
Oh, we just want it to be healthy.
You don't care about race?
Does it make it easier if we don't?
It can.
We've had very good luck with Hispanic babies.
Easier access, shorter waiting periods.
They don't have to go through the same process?
Not when they're from another country.
The problem is that it can get very expensive.
Well, we're prepared to pay whatever it costs.
As much as $6,500 in advance?
What you're buying is time.
If everything goes as planned, you can usually have
your baby in about four weeks.
Four weeks?
Sweetheart, did you hear that?
What do you think?
I think Mr. Mendez is under arrest, honey.
You know how many times you guys have pulled this?
Trust me, you got nothing.
Oh, except two expert witnesses
to testify that you trade babies for money.
Baby brokering is not illegal in this country, officer.
You don't broker babies, Mendez.
You export illegal aliens, as if they were
your own private commodity.
You'd prefer I leave them down there?
At age 15, those kids will have a gun shoved in their hand
so they can kill another 15-year-old
in the next village.
They won't even know why they're killing each other.
I take them away from all that.
For a price.
For a high price.
It's the system.
El sistema.
Yeah, well, el sistema in this country says what you're doing
is illegal, pal.
I'll be out by this afternoon.
Maybe, but I'm going to drag you downtown.
I'm going to book you.
And I'm gonna throw you in a stinky cell.
Just want to ruin your day.
[serene music]
You need a haircut.
I just had a haircut.
You know, I've imagined this place--
the tables, the flags, where the judge sits.
And I knew I would always be here,
and they would be deciding about me.
And every time I imagined it, you were never there.
Reality is not so bad.
I have a good feeling.
About the case, or us?
Both.
Me, too.
COURT BAILIFF: All rise!
Superior Court 217 is now in session.
The Honorable Irene Pagota presiding.
The case of Marta Cabarrus, file number capital A-320505.
In rendering my oral decision, I find the respondent has not
met the requirements of the Refugee Act enough
to establish a well-founded fear of persecution.
Further, the respondent was unable to provide
a clear, convincing, and unequivocal
evidence of physical danger to her person in El Salvador.
For these reasons, I am denying the respondent's
application for asylum.
Further, I am denying the privilege
of voluntary departure, and am ordering
the respondent be placed in custody,
pending immediate deportation.
Your honor, my name is Doug Penhall,
and I think the court should be advised
that Ms. Cabarrus and I have just recently been married.
Given the fact that we are very much in love
and now legally wed, we request that you
re-evaluate your decision.
Aren't you the arresting officer
in the case, Mr. Penhall?
Yes, your honor.
And how long have you and Ms. Cabarrus known each other?
- Five days, your honor. - Five days?
And you were married after Ms. Cabarrus
was arrested and ordered before the court, is that right?
Yes.
Officer Penhall, under the Marriage Fraud Act of 1986,
it seems clear to me that this marriage is strictly
a measure to avoid deportation.
No.
No, that's not true.
The order to place the respondent
under custody pending immediate deportation remains.
You cannot send me back.
Ms. Cabarrus--
You cannot send me back.
[sad music]
[ball field chatter]
Oh!
You'll swing at anything, won't you, my man?
So you're lagging five, my man.
It is very late in the game.
My man out here is throwing fire, and you are 0 and 2.
So I would suggest to you that, no matter what the next pitch
is, you swing at it.
OK?
Gone!
Last out! - Don't count on it.
Hey, I have seen you face the man twice today, all right?
Last out!
[cheering and applause]
Hey, where you going?
What are you doing?
He's taking off.
What happened?
Word just came in.
She and three other women were picked up
by government soldiers just outside of Gotera.
Is she OK?
She disappeared.
[somber music]
[theme music]