Born in East L.A.

Rudy Robles is given the responsibility to pick up his cousin Javier from a manufacturing facility in Downtown Los Angeles. His family is preparing for a trip to Fresno, and this task sets the stage for the impending turmoil.

Upon Rudy's arrival, he witnesses a surprise raid by immigration officials searching for undocumented migrants. This encounter puts Rudy in a precarious situation as he is unable to prove his citizenship without identification.

Due to the absence of his mother and sister, Rudy is deported to Mexico along with other individuals caught in the immigration raid. This marks the beginning of Rudy's unexpected journey away from his homeland.

Arriving in Tijuana, Rudy struggles with language but finds solace in unexpected friendships, particularly with Jimmy, a local businessman, and Dolores, a waitress. Their support helps Rudy navigate his new life away from home.

Rudy is desperate to reconnect with his family in the U.S. He makes several attempts to cross the border, each resulting in failure, highlighting the difficulties faced by undocumented migrants seeking a better life.

To earn the money needed to return home, Rudy begins working as a doorman at Jimmy's strip club. He also sells oranges and teaches aspiring undocumented immigrants, forming a close bond with the eclectic group he nicknames the 'Waas Sappening Boys.'

As Rudy and Dolores spend more time together, a romantic attraction develops between them. This new relationship offers Rudy a glimmer of hope and joy amidst the chaos of his life's challenges.

After securing enough funds, Rudy prepares to return to the U.S. He bids farewell to Jimmy and shares a heartfelt moment with Dolores, who gifts him a parting kiss before he departs on the coyote's truck.

During his journey back to the U.S., Rudy encounters a woman who cannot afford to cross with her husband. He selflessly offers his seat to her, demonstrating his kindness and compassionate nature.

Standing on the hillside near the Mexico-U.S. border, Rudy raises his arms high as a massive crowd begins to surge forward, all chasing the American Dream. The iconic song 'America' plays, highlighting the collective hope of the group.

Rudy and Dolores are captured by coyotes who demand a ransom from their families to secure their release. This adds to Rudy's urgency to escape and return to his loved ones.

In a desperate bid to free themselves, Rudy sends Javier to retrieve his wallet across the street. The situation grows tense as their freedom hangs in the balance and the authorities start closing in.

Just as Rudy presents his identification to the immigration officer, he learns that Dolores faces deportation to El Salvador. This revelation forces Rudy to think quickly and devise a new plan.

During the lively Cinco de Mayo parade, Rudy and Dolores seize the moment to escape. With the help of a priest, they weave through the crowd and engage in an impromptu wedding ceremony to solidify their bond.

As the officer appears again, Rudy uses their recent vows to declare Dolores a legal resident. Surrounded by a crowd supporting their love story, they triumph against the odds as the community celebrates their victory.