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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This was an eye-opening read! I resonated with many of the themes José Antonio Vargas addressed, even though I haven’t experienced being undocumented myself. He offered a raw insight into the realities of immigration in the states, exposing the systemic barriers designed to keep undocumented immigrants stuck.
I think his realisation near the end of the book stood out to me the most:
"Sitting alone in that cell, I concluded that none of this was an accident. None of it. You know how politicians and the news media that cover them like to say that we have a 'broken immigration system'? Inside that cell I came to the conclusion that we do not have a broken immigration system. We don’t. […] This immigration system is set up to do exactly what it does."
I think he did a fantastic job at exploring the complexities of immigrant identities. He highlights how intersectionality impacts people differently based on privilege, race, and circumstance. I find it wild how his accounts are from recent years. It feels extremely relevant given today’s political climate, with Trump now in his second term and immigration remaining a heated topic of discourse.
Honest account of José Antonio Vargas’ life as an undocumented person. Small but valuable insights into the Philippines, immigration, social commentary, and large insights into one individual’s story as an undocumented immigrant, journalist, and social activist. Highly recommend!
A must read! I've just finished listening to the audiobook and will be listening again because I know I've missed some things because of the shock that came with the first go-round.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
glad to have finished reading this the eve of the inauguration
as a nation of immigrants, it’s incredible valuable to remember the bigger picture and acknowledge that human beings had weighed all the risks when choosing to immigrate here
people aren’t the problem. the system is broken and no one wants to be the person to pick up a broom and start sweeping.
as a nation of immigrants, it’s incredible valuable to remember the bigger picture and acknowledge that human beings had weighed all the risks when choosing to immigrate here
people aren’t the problem. the system is broken and no one wants to be the person to pick up a broom and start sweeping.
Read this book in one sitting, a rarity for me! Fascinating view into the realities of being undocumented in the U.S. I especially appreciated Vargas’ view as an undocumented Asian, given the many media narratives about undocumented Latinos. Highly recommended!
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Memorable, eye-opening, and raw. I really appreciate being able to hear Jose’s story.
I’d recommend this memoir to anyone wanting to learn more about the very (intentionally) flawed US immigration system and the real people and families impacted by it.
“I wanted to scream, over and over again: THERE IS NO LINE!”
I’d recommend this memoir to anyone wanting to learn more about the very (intentionally) flawed US immigration system and the real people and families impacted by it.
“I wanted to scream, over and over again: THERE IS NO LINE!”
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Minor: Homophobia