Skip to Content

Building The American Dream

Directed by Chelsea Hernandez

Across Texas, an unstoppable construction boom drives urban sprawl and luxury high-rises. Its dirty secret: abuse of immigrant labor. BUILDING THE AMERICAN DREAM captures a turning point as a movement forms to fight widespread construction industry injustices. Grieving their son, a Mexican family campaigns for a life-and-death safety ordinance. A Salvadorian electrician couple owed thousands in back pay fights for their children’s future. A bereaved son battles to protect others from his family’s preventable tragedy. A story of courage, resilience and community, the film reveals shocking truths about the hardworking immigrants who build the American Dream, from which they are excluded.

Plays in

Person in hard hat next to person holding construction tool

Closing Night Feature: Building the American Dream

“Build! Build! Build!” is a common refrain all over America. But who is doing the work, and what rights are they being given in this anti-immigrant, big business climate?

Dates & Times

Past

The Lab

Sun, Feb 9
7:00 pm