****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
This is an exceptional book that puts a face on the current hot topic of illegal aliens in America. Having purchased property in Mexico I am reading many books and finding the culture much more diverse and charming than Americans realize. My latest book was Finding Enrique, the story of children left in Central America who are raised without their mothers as they are in the USA earning a living for the family. These kids endure a heartbreaking journey trying to join their mothers. Imagine arriving in Texas and asking which way to San Francisco!Having learned so much, I purchased this book to review how the illegal alien environment was in the late 1980s as that is when this book was written. Frankly, it sounds very similar to today as so many of the workers are migrant farm workers and travel back and forth each season. Frankly, I just assumed that once across the aliens stayed here but in this book that is not the case as they continually travel back to their village. In addition, there is an entire "word of mouth" network of recommending new workers from certain villages to American farms of previous employ.This author starts on orange groves in AZ. The living conditions are deplorable and it's interesting how he lives and works among the Mexicans but they treat him with such respect. From AZ, they head to FL for a different season. This is one of the comical parts of the book as over 6 people load in to a $300 car and head across America in a blizzard with repeated car trouble. After many mishaps they do make it to Florida where conditions are similar to slightly better.The Author then spends a great deal of time in villages of workers he has met in central Mexico. This gives him great insight in to how their culture is being pulled apart by the migration to America, specifically how it breaks down the core family in this heavily Catholic country. This visit includes an illegal passage into America specifically through the AZ desert which is quite dangerous. Also, when revisiting AZ, there is a side trip to Los Angeles for work that due to poor transportation they decide to fly. This sounds like a good idea until you see that these men have never been in an airport before which creates great comedy and sympathetic stories. Finally, there is an extended stay in Los Angeles where it shows living conditions for those who have lived in America for a while in a big city.I must say this author took great risk, physically on crossing and legally as he could have been accused of harboring illegal aliens that carries high penalties. I compliment him on this unique research that generates a compelling read. I found this book extremely educational and entertaining. And, it may change your view of the plight of these aliens. I'm not sure what the solution is but I have great respect for the hardworking tenacity of many of these people.A very important book concerning current events.
