East of Hope Street  (1998)

Theatrical Release Information:
East of Hope Street

A 15-year-old teen looking to escape civil strife in El Salvador finds her troubles have only begun upon arriving in Los Angeles in director Nate Thomas' grim drama. Alicia Montalvo (Jade Herrera) has just arrived in the U.S. in search of a better life, but soon after arriving at the home of her crack-addicted aunt and her younger brother, the sweatshop where she has found work is raided by the INS. When child welfare services notice the bruises Alicia received from her aunt after returning home from work with no money, they place her in foster care where she is separated from her sibling and falls prey to a sexual predator. Now pregnant and placed into a home for expectant teens, Alicia's spirit is still not broken and her determination is stronger than ever. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide