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Determined to prove himself to his estranged family, Arnoldo travels from Tijuana to San Francisco with a promise of steady work. Instead, he becomes a slave: sixteen hour workdays, no pay, meager food. After gaining his freedom, Arnoldo struggles with homelessness, continued exploitation, and the lasting impacts of trauma. But a chance encounter with a stranger starts to change his luck, and gives Arnoldo hope that he might yet return home with his head held high.

This Adventure Called California is currently in production as part of the mentorship program of Re-Present Media.

Arnoldo's story touches on many themes: wage theft, exploitation and labor trafficking, mental health and suicide, immigration, criminal justice, and recovery from trauma.

Reports about the trafficking case: US Department of Justice, KPIX, San Jose Mercury News,  San Francisco Chronicle

Organizations that helped Arnoldo: Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (APILO), International Rescue Committee, UA Local Union 393,  US States Attorneys Office

Mental health resources: National Suicide Prevention Hotline, A personal safety plan worksheet, Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Immigration resources: Immigration Advocates Network, East Bay resources, National resources

Labor trafficking resources: National Human Trafficking Hotline, Polaris Project, Freedom United, 
International Labour Organization,