Following the federal government’s rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program – which for five years shielded young undocumented immigrants from deportation – the undocumented community has put pressure on Congress to pass legislation that will provide a path to citizenship. As they fight for a clean Dream Act – one that won’t come at the expense of other immigrants, they face an uphill battle. Through these turbulent times, French artist JR wants to show them that they have a base of support. With the Inside Out/Dreamers project, JR and the Emerson Collective will travel across the country taking portraits of those who stand in solidarity with the undocumented community.
“Beyond any political debate about dreamers, these portraits remind us that behind the policies are real human stories that are deeply rooted in the story of this country,” the site reads. “Inside Out/Dreamers aims to represent the diversity and unity of people that can call America home. It is a nationwide participatory art initiative aimed at creating a portrait of America that includes immigrants and the descendants of immigrants alike.”
The team will bring photo booth trucks in more than 30 cities. Their pictures will then form part of a massive art installation. JR started the Inside Out 11M project – which takes its name from the estimated number of undocumented immigrants living in the United States. For Inside Out 11M, JR aimed to create “a portrait of America that includes immigrants and the descendants of immigrants alike.” Since the Trump Administration’s announcement about the end of DACA, JR has created several impactful installations, including a large-scale photo of a toddler peering over the already existing border wall and a giant picnic on the US-Mexico border.
Follow the Inside Out/Dreamers project on Instagram or see if JR is making a stop near you here.