Al Jazeera America Launches Investigative Documentary Series on Immigration

NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Al Jazeera America will premiere "Borderland," a documentary series that follows ordinary Americans confronting the realities of illegal immigration, on Sunday, April 6^th at 9 PM ET.

In the four-part series, six Americans are tasked by the Pima County, Arizona medical examiner with retracing the footsteps of three deceased migrants – three of the 5,500 individuals who perished in the desert in the last 15 years while trying to cross from Mexico. Gathered at the morgue, the participants are told: "We've given them a name. You must give them a story."

The documentaries from Al Jazeera America reflect the channel's commitment to outstanding investigative journalism focusing on the human side of important, underreported stories, arising out of such national issues as immigration, the criminal justice system and youth culture.

"Immigration is one of the most divisive topics in our country, and it is easy for the real issues to get lost in the noise of politics," said Al Jazeera America president Kate O'Brian. "Borderland looks at the issue in an entirely fresh and compelling way – allowing the viewer to become immersed in the experiences of actual border runners."

"Borderland" was produced by Australian independent production company "In Films" in association with Los Angeles-based Muck Media for Al Jazeera America.

Watch the promo for "Borderland" here: http://youtu.be/wsy6W8rxeK4

Two upcoming "Al Jazeera America Presents" documentary series will focus on the criminal justice system and youth culture.  

"The System with Joe Berlinger," produced for Al Jazeera America by Radical Media, will explore controversial cases of alleged injustices in the U.S. judicial system.  Representing points of view from victims, perpetrators and law enforcement in troubling cases, the Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger relentlessly pursues truth and justice, leaving the viewer to decide whether justice has triumphed or failed. The first three episodes will air March 16, 23 and 30.

"Edge of Eighteen," executive produced for Al Jazeera America by Alex Gibney and Jigsaw Productions, explores the lives of 18 high school students across the country, as reported and recorded by those very students.

"Al Jazeera America Presents" has also commissioned documentary specials from top filmmakers, including Barbara Kopple, Albert Maysles and Leon Gast, among others. Al Jazeera America's in-house documentary unit brings 52 unique hours a year dedicated to the genre, with the goal of shedding light on human stories.

ABOUT AL JAZEERA AMERICA
Al Jazeera America is the new U.S. news channel that provides both domestic and international news for American audiences. It is headquartered in New York City with bureaus in 12 cities across the United States and access to more than 70 Al Jazeera Media Network bureaus around the world.

Visit Al Jazeera America online at http://www.aljazeera.com for the latest updates. You can also like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/aljazeeraamerica, follow us on Twitter @AJAM (www.twitter.com/ajam) and join the conversation using #AlJazeeraAmerica.

SOURCE Al Jazeera America