Director Mark Landsman Humanizes the Immigration Debate With NUVOtv's 'Los Jets': Docu-Series Follows North Carolina High School Latinos Fighting for Victory, Acceptance

With all the talk surrounding U.S. immigration reform, few people in the media, elected offices or public square have had the opportunity to look intimately at the people immigration legislation affects. "Los Jets," the first docu-series from NUVOtv's Nu Point of View franchise, aims to fix this by providing an in-depth look at an all-Latino North Carolina high school soccer team. The players deal with discrimination and their or their loved ones' potential deportation while simultaneously fighting to succeed as average American teens.

"The media has done little and is doing very little to put a human face on the immigration issue," Mark Landsman, "Los Jets" creator, said in an interview with Latin Post. "They opt to tell stories that keep immigrants polarized and floating."

"Los Jets," produced by Jennifer Lopez and Benny Medina's Nuyorican Productions, brings the immigration debate to Silver City, North Carolina. The rural town saw its population of 5,000 grow from 2 percent Latinos to over 55 percent in just 15 years, according to a news release.

Landsman, who also directs and executive produces the series, learned of the town's soccer team through an NPR interview with Paul Cuadros, the team's coach. About 14 years ago, the former investigative reporter came to Siler City to study immigration. Upon seeing the need for the Latino kids to have a constructive activity, he urged the school board to create a high school soccer team. Despite much opposition, Cuadros got his wish and decided to coach the team. In 2004 Los Jets won the state championship.

"Los Jets" profiles the boys, all sons of immigrants, as they strive to win another championship, which to them represents not only victory, but proof of worth in a community that sometimes looks down on them.

"There are millions [of undocumented immigrants] here that contribute to society, have been here for years contributing to our economy and are no different than any other group of immigrants that have come to America since the dawn of this country," Landsman said. "This is who we are. We are a country built on backs of immigrants."

The members of Los Jets may embody this better than anyone. Many of the players have big dreams but find obstacles exponentially heightened due to a lack of documentation.