An investigative report on the modern global slave trade. In 1991 the „Golden Venture" sank off the shores of New York. 10 illegal Chinese immigrants were drowned, another 400 are still Incarcerated. After recording a video letter for one man he visits in prison, Alpert travels to China and shows it to the prisoner's family. But despite the shock of such news, hardly anyone Alpert meets in the village would turn down the chance to leave: the chance of slipping through the net and keeping their families in luxury paid for with US dollars Is too enticing. The "snakeheads" demand fees of up to 30,000 dollars per head for placement of illegal workers, sometimes in batches of 100. Of course it's against the law, but the negotiators at fake meetings staged by Alpert turn out to be official government representatives. Back in New York, Alpert seeks out those who have gone underground. They live in dark basements, often with children, up to 16 people In one tiny room, paying $ 100 per bed.