Sacred Heart Reads

Karla Cornejo Villavicencio's The Undocumented Americans is an unflinching portrait of the triumphs and tragedies of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Her personal story as an undocumented immigrant who migrated from Ecuador as a child and eventually went to Harvard informs and contrasts with the experiences of dozens of undocumented folks she profiles in this book. Karla's proximity to the complex issues surrounding immigration and her insightful and darkly humorous takes on how U.S. immigration has wreaked havoc on people's lives makes this an engaging and, at times, gut-wrenching read. 

Villavicencio is a long-time New Yorker, and as such, her telling the previously untold stories of the undocumented workers sent to clean up the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks, many of whom subsequently became terminally ill, has a ghostly resonance. The Undocumented Americans relays stories of exploitation, fear, and uncertainty embedded within the undocumented experience in America. Karla is a sharp writer who captures these narratives in a way that isn't overly statistical and dehumanizing. She also reflects on her battles with mental illness and challenging family dynamics, making this social issue more personal and relatable. Overall, this is an excellent book and should be essential for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the immigrants who make our society move.