The Undocumented Americans

These stories are important. I'm glad they're told here and that I read them.
I was expecting a nonfiction book but this was a mix between a memoir, nonfiction, and fiction. I think the author referred to it as “creative nonfiction”. I really enjoyed the “reporting” part, not so much the creative parts.
I'm leaving this one unrated.

The writing style just wasn't my favorite. Didn't feel strongly one way or another regarding this book.

Karla's voice makes such an impassioned plea for acknowledging that the undocumented Americans are real humans with hopes and dreams and downsides...just like those humans who were born on this soil.

I thought this book was going to be a little dry, and probably full of stats about what kinds of people are being lumped together. I was surprised and awed instead by the work that Karla gives us.

I highly recommend the audio version. Her voice voice makes the words in her written voice even more powerful.

I listened to this on audio and I want to reread it print. It's sad and infuriating all at once. The authors voice is strong and she is really relatable in the ways she talks about her mental health struggles, guilt, and love for her family.

Full review to come.

I found this book through an article that NPR wrote abou Karla Cornejo Villavicencio at the end of June.

Right from the start, the author lets you know that this is not going to be the book you expected it to be. This work is deeply personal, filled with stories about the people they met, the people they loved, and the demons facing them daily. I have never heard the story of immigrants in America told in such a raw, emotional way. Karla Cornejo Villavicencio does an incredible job of showing you how these people are woven into the story of America, yet each is forgotten and hidden by design. One of the stories that most affected me were the day laborers who helped clear the disaster of 9/11. When I hear these stories, I think of the firefighters and the police officers. Hearing that these undocumented immigrants risked their lives and were traumatized directly by their work here, yet we don't talk about them, evokes a feeling that I'm not sure I have a word for. Shame at my ignorance, anger at the people who taught me these stories without mentioning them, and sadness for the people who suffered. I will never let someone explain the story of 9/11 in front of me without mentioning this part of the tragedy again.

Where do I begin with this one? Honestly, I love EVERYTHING about this story!!!! From Karla's tone, to her experiences traveling around the country meeting with undocumented individuals— all of it was awesome! It was funny, shocking, sad and very, very personal. The story unfolded in such a unique and heartfelt way; in the beginning, the narration feels more closed off and a bit detached(?), but as the story progresses, you see more and more of Villavicencio's (iconic) personality. Reading this book was like meeting someone for the first time, and slowly unpacking their life and experiences. Honestly, I feel like this story is as much a personal exploration of identity as it is a story to be read by others.

Karla's voice shines through in this story SO strongly, and that voice is ANGRY (and funny!). She strays from the traditional depiction of “undocumented immigrants”— as laborers, sufferers, and criminals. There is labor and there is suffering, yes, but that's not the point of the story; instead, she humanizes the people she speaks with as individuals, with their own unique stories. She highlights mental health, and the profound impact that living undocumented can have on your emotional (and physical) well-being. I'm running out of characters in this post so DM me if you want to hear more thoughts, but this is absolutely a MUST read ownvoices story