Rudy Robles, portrayed by Cheech Marin, is tasked by his mother with the responsibility of picking up his cousin Javier, played by Paul Rodriguez, from a manufacturing facility located in Downtown Los Angeles. This is right before their family is set to journey to Fresno. However, trouble strikes as Rudy arrives just in time to witness immigration officials launching a surprise raid in search of undocumented migrants. In a twist of fate, Rudy finds himself in a dire situation when he's unable to present identification, compounded by the absence of his mother and sister to confirm his U.S. citizenship. Consequently, he is deported to Mexico alongside the other undocumented individuals.
Although Rudy can only communicate using basic Spanglish, his time in the military has endowed him with a surprising proficiency in German. Once in Tijuana, he forms an unexpected friendship with Jimmy, played by Daniel Stern, a local businessman, and Dolores, a captivating waitress portrayed by Kamala Lopez. Rudy desperately attempts to reconnect with his family back in the States, making repeated attempts to cross the border, yet each endeavor ends in disappointment.
In a bid to earn enough money for his return, Jimmy offers to help Rudy get back home for a price. With his wallet out of reach, Rudy begins working as a doorman at Jimmy's strip club. He also supplements his income by selling oranges and teaching a group of aspiring undocumented immigrants hailing from diverse backgrounds, including two Nahuatl natives and three Asian individuals. This eclectic group affectionately esteems themselves as the "Waas Sappening Boys."
As love blossoms between Rudy and Dolores, he finally manages to scrape together the necessary funds to facilitate his return to the U.S. After a romantic outing with Dolores, Rudy says his heartfelt goodbyes to Jimmy, is gifted a parting kiss from Dolores, and boards the coyote's truck. On the journey, he encounters a woman who can't afford to join her husband across the border, prompting him to selflessly offer his seat to her.
Standing on the hillside overlooking the Mexico-U.S. border, with two immigration officials smirking from their vehicle, Rudy lifts his arms high. Suddenly, an inspiring number of people surge from the shadows, all chasing the elusive American Dream. As Neil Diamond's iconic song “America” plays in the background, Rudy, Dolores, and their fellow "Waas Up" friends march toward the United States, determined to claim their place.
However, an unexpected twist awaits them as Rudy and Dolores fall prey to coyotes demanding a ransom from their families, all while being held just steps away from Rudy's own home. In a frantic effort to secure their release, Rudy dispatches Javier across the street to retrieve his wallet, hoping to use it as payment for their freedom. Just as they are on the brink of reuniting with loved ones, the authorities, led by the very immigration officer who previously deported Rudy, arrive on the scene.
This time, Rudy produces his identification, only for the officer to inform him that Dolores is slated to be sent back to El Salvador. Unwilling to surrender, Rudy devises a daring scheme with Dolores to escape during the vibrant Cinco de Mayo parade in East Los Angeles. Amid the festive atmosphere, they weave through the crowd and find refuge on a float with the help of a compassionate priest. The priest performs an impromptu ceremony, joining them in matrimony, as they exchange loving glances.
Just as the newlyweds revel in their joyous union, the immigration officer appears once again, intent on taking Dolores into custody. But Rudy's astute thinking shines through as he highlights their recent vows, making Dolores a legal resident. The surrounding crowd, now keen witnesses to their love story, erupts into cheers and applause, celebrating love's incredible power to overcome even the toughest challenges.
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