EXILED

Two military veterans, both green card immigrants willing to die for their country, find themselves deported for their crimes and are now fighting to be heard.  Exiled is a persuasive and intimate look at the human consequences of current U.S. immigration policy. 

Told through the lens of personal experiences using intimate verité cinematography, Exiled reveals the high human cost of deportations, and what it means to be caught up in a system that seems to value process more than fairness.   Mauricio Hernandez is a seasoned combat veteran who spent multiple tours in Afghanistan fighting for the US.  Born in Mexico, grew up from age two in San Diego, Mauricio struggles to find adequate medical care for his PTSD, while raising a family in Tijuana. Army veteran Hector Barajas was deported and separated from his 10-year-old daughter, having watched her grow up mostly on camera. He’s afraid he may only be able to go home in a coffin - the only way the US Government told him he is allowed to return.

The film team, led by director/DP Mike Seely, traveled to Tijuana over the course of two years to follow the lives of Mauricio and Hector as they adjusted to a new life in a new country.  Hector took matters into his own hands and with social media, built the Deported Veterans’ Support House from the ground up.  With his grassroots donation-supported group, he raised awareness building momentum with local and international news media and gained support from the likes of the ACLU and Veterans for Peace.

In 2017, US Congressional Representatives invited Mike to present Exiled in Washington DC to Representatives and organizations concerned with the deported veterans issue. 

Mike also presented a short live version of Exiled as part of Pop Up Magazine's 2017-2018 tours, presenting to sold-out audiences in LA, San Francisco, New York and Washington DC. 

PREMIERE – Big Sky Documentary Film Festival premiere, 

WINNER Best Short Doc – San Diego Latino Film Festival 

WINNER Best Short Doc – GI Film Festival

WINNER Audience Award – GI Film Festival