Undocumented: The Reality

WHAT: The words that José Angel N. used to describe the story of his life shows the passion and hard work he exerted to make a name for himself. José chose words that reflect on what he, and millions of other undocumented immigrants, have come to find true of themselves and that they are forced to identify with. The author describes his shortcomings as an undocumented immigrant in various ways, including, “But what possible advantage can be derived from people constrained to repine under a grinding system that forces them constantly to live in anxiety amid the shadows,” (xiii). José displays the hardship of the constant fear of unguaranteed safety for working as an undocumented immigrant in America. He, and the others, are contributing members of the society on a daily basis, yet are still viewed by the authority as criminals. These people are subjected to constant fear for working like American citizens. They are simply fearful due to where they were born, which they had no control over. José brings this issue up in his statement, “My birth predetermined my future,” (29). He is trying to make a better future for him and his family while the American government is against him. There are many downfalls for individuals who come to this immigrate to this country.

The laws placed on regulations for undocumented immigrants limits their potential and abilities. For example, if an individual who is undocumented completes higher education and obtains a degree due to their academic performance and skillset, they are still not guaranteed a job placement in their desired field of work. That is, if they are permitted to go to college and have guidance needed to continue the path to higher education. As José states, “Being the first one to go to college, I had no example to follow. This made things relatively easy because I had nothing to prove to anyone, nothing to live up to, and this gave me great liberty,” (46). This allowed him to figure out everything for himself, which can be both good and bad. There was no one to guide José regarding what major to choose and which classes to take since he did not know anyone who attended college previously. This allowed him to feel a sense of freedom because he felt no educational limitations which is contrary to the limitations he faces in society.

SO WHAT: The laws that are imposed on undocumented immigrants are only viewed from the surface. People typically focus on the mere limitations of being undocumented in this society, rather than the emotional hardships that people face on a daily basis. Other than not having the ability to choose what they want to freely do with their lives, they are subjected to false opinions and stereotypes all due to where they are from. This has the potential to take a toll on the strongest of people. In José’s case, he made it to higher education and the first stepping stones to pursuing his dreams, but he still felt out of place. All due to his citizenship status, he feels as if he doesn’t belong or fit in with the rest of the students at the institution. José mentioned, “I did not belong in the cool shade of the classroom, in the comfort of the study halls, in the discussions in the conference rooms, or in the sacred silence of the library,” (50). Not only is he under the pressure of maintaining good grades in college, work, and doing all that he can to be unnoticed by the law, he is having a difficult time realizing his worth and place in this setting. Among all else he is worrying about at this time, he is still trying to master the English language while keeping up with his native tongue. José demonstrates how ashamed he feels when he can not get his point across, as stated, “But my inability to communicate properly, clearly, and successfully cannot be hidden,” (59). Many Americans are not aware of the hardships that undocumented immigrants face everyday, but José beautifully displays the reality for a portion of America’s population. The difficulties of making an effort to fit in are enhanced when there is an obvious language barrier. It is not only difficult to continue with what was needed to be done, but it also brings a factor of embarrassment. When someone is unable to communicate like the rest of the population, it brings upon a feeling of isolation and difference. José stated, “Whoever got the idea of identifying foreigners with the label of ‘alien resident’ knew exactly what he as going. A green card may grant you legal status, but it doesn’t take away the stigma of alienation. It doesn’t guarantee you integration into society,” (62). This puts a pressure on undocumented immigrants to make an extra effort to fit into America’s society and culture. They already face copious stereotypes of laziness and unlawful, yet they are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. They do this while still trying to maintain their own identities and remain true to their culture. As José Angel mentions, that he had to completely change from the person he was in Mexico to the person he is now in America (66). He didn’t ask to be stripped of his identity, it came with pursuing his dreams of freedom in the states and becoming Americanized. Although it appears that many immigrants have to give up most of their identity and feelings of normalcy to be in the states for better opportunities. Contrary to some belief, undocumented immigrants do not come here in spite of Americans, but to fulfill better and brighter lives.

NOW WHAT: I have always had a strong opinion towards the current immigration policy and this story make my feelings even stronger. I have never had the chance to read a story of the life following immigration to America with the amount of detail José so graciously put into the tale of his journey. The discourse used in this book brings a more realistic, yet brighter side to the lives of undocumented immigrants. José shared, “The world I felt excluded from now opened its doors and welcomed me and made me feel important. Privileged.” (51). While the media shows undocumented immigrants as undoubtedly criminal, José Angel shows that they are beyond the stereotypes. In all, I believe that all undocumented immigrants deserve the right to a path to citizenship. It should not necessarily be extremely easy, but with some work and effort, it should be doable. Regarding today’s citizenship test, address the financial burden of paying for the test, and memorizing all of the material, especially because the test is not given in their native tongue. People that do not understand the difficulties of acclimating to a new area with new rules and expectations should not be the one to design the citizenship test. The test should be redesigned by someone with experience of dealing with the hardships of immigrating to a new country. Then it would be fair for those desperately willing to obtain citizenship in the United States. If we give everyone the chance to pursue careers they are qualified and going to school for, we may see the economy substantially expand right before us and bring genuine happiness to many undocumented Americans.