Dear America by Jose Antonio Vargas
Book Review
”Why are white people called “expats” while people of color are called “immigrants”?
If you’re looking for an educational and timely nonfiction book to read for Nonfiction November, I CANNOT recommend this memoir enough. This book should be required reading for all Americans.
The book is written by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, deemed America’s “most famous illegal” (his words, not mine). Vargas was born in the Philippines and was brought to the US when he was 12 years old. At age 16, in an attempt to earn his drivers’ permit, Vargas discovers his green card and social security card are in fact fakes. After learning of his undocumented status, Vargas is forced to lie in order to pass as an American and maintain a life in the country he calls home. Despite the obstacles standing in his way, Vargas works his way up to become an accomplished and well-known journalist. After years of hiding, Vargas finally revels his immigration status to the world and prepares to face the consequences.
This beautiful and courageous story shines a bright light on the difficulties of navigating the immigration process as well as the anxiety and fear that accompanies a lack of “correct” papers. The book also makes it abundantly clear how clueless most Americans are when it comes to the subject of immigration (despite many of their strong opinions).
Contrary to popular belief, undocumented immigrants DO pay taxes (and quite a lot at that). Furthermore, it’s not just Fox News and conservative media that condemns undocumented immigrants and tells them to “get in line” and “become legal”. An encounter with Bill Maher - during which the TV host told Jose sympathetically, “I don’t understand why you can’t just fix this thing” - exemplifies the fact that even well-meaning Americans don’t understand the intricacies of immigration and the process for “becoming legal”.
I honestly cannot recommend this book enough. At just 232 pages, it’s a fast and impactful read… one that you will continue to think about long after reaching the final page.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
