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John Carlos Frey
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John Carlos Frey - Filmmaker is a native of Mexico. His directorial debut, “The Gatekeeper,” garnered ten national and international film festival awards as well as critical acclaim and is currently in DVD distribution through Universal Home Video and has been translated into multiple languages and seen world-wide. In 2006 Mr. Frey completed “The Invisible Mexicans of Deer Canyon” which is an in depth look at migrant life in wealthy southern California. He spent over a year visiting and living amongst the Mexican migrants of Deer Canyon that live outdoors in third world conditions amongst some of the most expensive real estate in America. In 2007 Mr. Frey completed the follow up film to “Invisible Mexicans of Deer Canyon” entitled, "The Invisible Chapel" and in 2008 completed "One Border One Body," documenting the annual Day of the Dead Mass celebrated on the border between El Paso, TX and Juarez, MX. John Carlos Frey has recently finished his latest film entitled, “The 800 Mile Wall.” This powerful new documentary takes an unflinching look at the U.S. border security strategy that many believe violates fundamental human rights. “The 800 Mile Wall” was recently screened on Capitol Hill for members of Congress and is currently touring the United States to raise awareness about migrant death at the U.S. – Mexico border.

Mr. Frey’s work has been recognized by Amnesty International, The ACLU, The Anti Defamation League, Human Rights Watch, National Immigration Forum, National Center for Farmworker Health, The League of United Latin American Citizens, The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), American Friends Service Committee, The Joan B. Kroc Institute of Peace and Justice as well as the Hispanic Congressional Caucus in Washington, D.C. for it’s realistic depiction of migrant life in the United States. He has been invited to share his expertise all over the country as well as Mexico, Central and South America. Some speaking venues include, U.S. Congress, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Georgetown, Notre Dame, UCLA and USC to name a few.

Mr. Frey is a current contributor to the Huffington Post and has most recently been a consultant to the CBS news program, “60 Minutes” on issues pertaining to the U.S. Mexico border. He recently crossed the U.S. Mexico border on foot with Vanguard correspondent Christof Putzel for and episode on Current TV entitled, "Life and Death on the Border." His current projects include producing a news documentary on migrant death with renowned correspondent Dan Rather on his HDnet program, "Dan Rather Presents." Mr Frey is also currently working on a feature film about the first Mexican-American to play college football for the southwest conference entitled, “Lone Star,” as well as a new documentary film about farm labor conditions in the United States.

Blog Entries by John Carlos Frey

Flagrant Human Rights Violations on U.S. Soil

Posted June 30, 2011 | 11:41:26 (EST)

When most people think of the U.S.-Mexico border, they rarely think about a zone where U.S. policy and U.S. agents violate human rights on a daily basis. In the border region it is common practice. I know it doesn't sound possible or true, but it is real and happens regularly....

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The U.S.-Mexico Border Is Getting Organized

Posted March 10, 2011 | 14:00:20 (EST)

If you have ever visited a U.S. town or major city along the U.S.-Mexico border you will quickly realize it is a unique part of the country. The region is alive with multiculturalism, globalization and ethnic diversity. I was born in a border town in Mexico, Tijuana, and grew up...

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Latinos for Meg Whitman, No Gracias

Posted July 26, 2010 | 19:27:35 (EST)

As a Latino voter in California I have been intently watching the gubernatorial campaign of Meg Whitman for the past several months. If you live in California you undoubtedly have seen the endless television campaign ads that that are a result of her infinite resources. A few months ago, her...

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Rep. Steve King's Distortions About Border Security

Posted June 16, 2010 | 12:46:55 (EST)

A few days ago The Iowa Independent featured an article about U.S. Congressman Steve King's assertion that a 2,000-mile long border wall between the U.S. and Mexico would have prevented the shooting death of Sergio Adrian Hernandez Guereca, a fifteen year old Mexican National who was recently gunned...

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Congressman Duncan Hunter Wants to Deport U.S. Citizens

Posted April 29, 2010 | 13:27:51 (EST)

Congressman Duncan D. Hunter recently addressed a group of constituents at a town-hall style meeting in San Diego County. One of the topics was his favorite, illegal immigration. As you can see by the video clip, he ended his remarks with strong support of Arizona's recent legislation SB1070 and the...

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Georgia: Making a Scapegoat of Immigrants

Posted April 19, 2010 | 16:15:02 (EST)

Georgia state lawmakers are discriminating against immigrants through proposed legislation SB 67 that would restrict driver's license exams to be issued in English only. Currently the state offers the exam in 13 different languages but according to State Senator Jack Murphy, the chief proponent of the legislation, restricting the privilege...

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Bill O'Reilly's Claim of a Mexican Invasion is Stupid

Posted April 10, 2010 | 01:49:13 (EST)

Fox News host Bill O'Reilly's recent comments on April 8, 2009 about a Mexican invasion are stupid. I wish there was a more appropriate word I could use to describe O'Reilly's claim that the U.S. is being invaded by Mexico. The dictionary definition of the word invasion, in this context...

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Arizona: A State With Hate

Posted April 6, 2010 | 19:41:46 (EST)

Arizona state legislators are once again positioning themselves to be the most hate-based state in the union. Arizona State Senator Russell K. Pearce (R) is a perfect example of hate mongering and overt racism. I realize that terms like "hate monger" and "racist" are strong accusations but I...

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The Case for Immigration Reform

Posted March 18, 2010 | 19:06:01 (EST)

On March 21, 2010 immigrant rights advocates by the tens of thousands will be in Washington, DC to make their case known to the nation. For me, the need for comprehensive immigration reform is obvious. I was born in Mexico of U.S. citizen parents. My parent's citizenship automatically made me...

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Can a Chili Pepper Secure the Border? Ask DRS Technologies

Posted February 23, 2010 | 17:42:13 (EST)

A recent article from Nathan Hodge on Wired.com caught my eye. He reported that defense technology contractor, DRS Technologies has developed a system of infrared surveillance cameras for border security between U.S. and Mexico. There are three different camera systems to choose from, named, Chili, Jalapeno,...

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The 800 Mile Wall

Posted February 4, 2010 | 15:00:32 (EST)

A few years ago I grew concerned about the massive escalation of security infrastructure that was being built along the U.S. Mexico border. I was born in Tijuana, Mexico and grew up on the flip side of the border in San Diego, California only a few hundred yards from the...

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Film About Deadly Failed Border Policies Set for Nationwide Tour

Posted January 20, 2010 | 12:39:18 (EST)

Award winning filmmaker, John Carlos Frey's latest documentary film, "The 800 Mile Wall," will begin a nationwide tour in February 2010 to raise awareness about the current human rights crisis caused by U.S. Border policy. The 800 Mile Wall, highlights the construction of border walls along the U.S.-Mexico...

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National Geographic Channel Profits from Humanitarian Crisis

Posted January 19, 2010 | 16:25:31 (EST)

On Jan. 10, 2009, yhe National Geographic Channel premiered its new series entitled, Border Wars to the highest ratings in the history of the channel. That seems like a victory and an important milestone for National Geographic, but, unfortunately, it comes at the expense of the worst humanitarian...

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My Worst Fears Confirmed

Posted January 9, 2010 | 16:09:35 (EST)

On Dec. 27, 2009 Brady McCombs of the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson published a sobering article about migrant death in the Sonoran desert. He concluded that, "illegal border crossers face a deadlier trek than ever." The reason migrants are more likely to die than in years past,...

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