Traffic

The stories of illegal immigrants from four continents who have embarked on dangerous journeys in trucks, boats, and even underneath trains are told in this investigation of the personal, economic, and legal dimensions of the international trade of people smuggling. Interviews with immigrants reveal the deceptive expectations perpetuated by smugglers, which are dashed by the immigrants’ experiences with sexual slavery, long hours in sweatshops, or living without access to health care, legal housing, and education. Case studies compare the fate of illegal and legal immigrants to examine why immigrants choose this option and who profits from their suffering. Members of the underworld in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia who organize this illicit movement of people are also interviewed.