During the 1980's, the CIA backed the Guatemalan government's efforts to destroy the resistance movement that was growing among the indigenous Maya peoples. Human rights organizations around the world condemned the army's "scorch and burn" policy, whereby the government backed militia razed over indigenous 200 villages along the Mexican / Guatemalan border in their attempts to crush the guerillas. Thousands of Maya fled across the border into Mexico seeking refuge and to save their lives. This is the story of Ricardo who fled his village in Guatemala to seek refuge with his family in a refugee camp in Mexico. After spending years in the camp, he and his family crossed into the United States illegally seeking to join other family members in Kansas. With the help of the "sanctuary movement", members of a church and synagogue helped the family settle in Chicago where they could tell their story and help to make changes in Guatemala. This film was used as a tool towards that effort.