The Undocumented Lawyer
Lizbeth Mateo is an attorney who swore to uphold the Constitution. She’s also undocumented. When a client takes sanctuary in a church, Lizbeth’s own experience guides their fight for justice.
Location
Year
Awards
Winner, Best Documentary – Boston Short Film Festival
Winner, Rhode Island International Film Festival
DOC NYC Official Selection
Tribeca Film Festival Official Selection
LALIFF Official Selection
Nantucket Film Festival Official Selection
Rhode Island Int’l Film Festival Official Selection
Montclair Film Festival Official Selection
Credits
Directors: Zach Ingrasci & Chris Temple
Editor: Lila Place
Producer: Jenna Kelly
Cinematographers: John Pope, Emily Topper
Executive Producers: Brenda Avila-Hanna, Morgan Kays, John Trefry
Associate Producer: Claudia S. Murray
Designer: Katerine Contreras
Directors' Statement
We met Lizbeth in 2017 when a close friend was seeking legal representation in immigration court. We immediately knew Lizbeth wasn’t a typical lawyer — the fight for her clients was personal and impassioned.
At its core, Lizbeth’s story demonstrates that sometimes it’s necessary to ignore the law in an effort to fix it. Undocumented leaders like Lizbeth and her client Edith are on the front lines risking everything for more equitable immigration law, and the question is, will our communities and elected officials join them in that fight.
Lizbeth says in the film that: “this country is about giving you the opportunity to actually fight.” We believe she shouldn’t have to fight alone. This film is meant to strengthen Lizbeth’s existing community of supporters so she can continue to keep families, like Edith’s, from being unjustly separated by an inhumane immigration system.
– Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci